A few of his favorite things

I was delighted to be able to make a few things for a very special guy on his birthday. What makes him so special is that he makes someone I love very happy. Butter, sugar, and flour just doesn't seem to quite cut it.

Among the items on the birthday boy's list of favorite things is Guinness Draught. Instead of tackling one of the many chocolate stout cupcake recipes out there I simply replaced the water in a devil's food chocolate cake mix recipe with Guinness. I figured the Guinness company would not be too upset that I pirated one of their images for these cupcakes since I did use their product in the recipe. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the party where these were served but I hear they went over pretty well.
As for the cookies, he is a guy so no matter what they may say, these cookie designs are on most men's list of favorite things.

Inked

I am getting a little obsessed with my Kopykake frosting sheets and edible ink.

Happy Mother's Day

Campaign Cookies

I was very excited when I saw that someone from my small hometown was running for political office so I thought I would celebrate the campaign by making cookies for a Campaign Kickoff. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the kickoff myself but my cookies were there in spirit. Vote for Jay!
I got a little help with the cookies from this website .

Blue and Brown Bridal Shower

I had the pleasure to help my sister host a bridal shower for her best friend over the weekend. When a shower was mentioned I jumped at the chance to help. Even though I do not have children, I liken my desire for entertaining to childbirth, painful, but after it is over you forget the pain and it is all worth it. I had so much fun designing, baking, and decorating for this shower. I took inspiration from the shower invitations that my sister picked. The cupcakes and cheesecake pops were decorated with candy clay, which I have worked with before, and chocolate shavings. I tinted the chocolate using a coloring made specifically for chocolate, do not use regular food coloring, it will ruin the chocolate. For favors, we had sugar cookies speckled with melted chocolate to resemble robin's eggs. I used the same sugar cookie recipe I have in the past, hasn't failed me yet. Now, just waiting for more of my sister's friends to get married.....or start having babies!

Valentine Inspiration

Sugar Cookies

A very Happy Birthday to my boss who is also a shoe lover like myself. I made the presentation extra special by packaging them in a parchment lined shoe box.

I used Paula Deen's recipe for these cookies as well as the sugar cookies I made for Christmas.

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract ( I used 1/2 tsp)
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla and almond extract until combined.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to sugar mixture, beating until smooth. Wrap dough in heavy-duty plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with assorted snowflake cookie cutters and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Chill dough 15 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes ( I baked mine 8 minutes), or until edges are very lightly browned. Let cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Lemon Pecan Cookies for Grandma

Thanks for the pecans, Grandma

Over Christmas weekend my grandmother gave me some pecans so I thought I would return the favor by baking her a batch of cookies. I found a recipe for orange pecan cookies using an orange cake mix, unfortunately, I didn't have orange but did have a lemon mix and lemon is my grandmother's favorite flavor so it worked out perfectly. The recipe called for vanilla yogurt but I used lemon instead, glad I did because I feel they had the perfect amount of lemon flavor. I also added a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a tiny bit of coconut extract. My husband thought they were delicious. Hope Grandma agrees.

What I Have Been Doing For The Past Month

Details and recipes to come.....after I take a nap.

Happy Halloween!

From All Things Domestic