hey, hot cocoa, lookin' snazzy!

Dress up your Hot Cocoa

photo from Martha Stewart

… great for Holiday Parties! 

You can make your marshmallows from scratch by clicking here, but if you do not have time, go the easy way and melt your store bought marshmallows, I have 2 favorite brands. One is Sweet & Sara found here and the other is Dandies I find at Wegmans. Yes, they are cruelty-free/vegan, so I am biased, but I swear these kick regular marshmallow's tushy!

Directions:

1. Put marshmallows in a large bowl, add 2 tablespoons of water per bag and melt for 45 seconds, stir, then melt again until it becomes lump free.

2. Dust glass/metal pan with confectioner's sugar, and pour melted marshmallows into pan.

3. Sprinkles top with confectioner's sugar.

4. Let set over night to until dry.

5. Using fun cookie cutters, get creative an cut out some shapes!

Display these next to the hot cocoa ( my fav recipe is found here) for some extra holiday cuteness!

Teaching a class on Fondant Characters!

To all my Maryland blog followers, if anyone is interested in learning how to make these little guys for your Christmas and Holiday Parties, here is your chance! I have that little hobby of sugar that you know I oh-so-much love and was asked to teach a class on fondant characters.

Limited space of 15 people, so reserve quickly!

December 5th, 2011

6:00 pm-8:30 pm

Cake & Wedding Cottage

8716 Belair Road
Baltimore, MD 21236

410-529-0200
www.cakeandweddingcottage.com

Hope to see ya there! Get ready to get your hands dirty!

Saturday Morning Breakfast

Yummy Vegan French Toast

from 'the Kind Life' by the too fantastic Alicia Silverstone

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

-1 1/2 cup(s) of firm tofu

-2 Yeast-free bread slices (French Meadow Summer Bread or whole spelt bread are good options)


-1 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon

-2 tbsp. of rice syrup


-1/2 cup(s) of soy milk


-1/2 tsp. of sea salt


-1 tbsp. of corn oil


-1 tsp. of vanilla


-1 tsp. of or 2 splashes of Oil of your choice (olive, safflower, sunflower, etc.) for frying



Steps:

1.Blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

If too thick, add more soy milk. 

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2.Dip bread in batter and fry in hot oiled skillet until browned on both sides. 


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3.Topping: Serve with organic maple syrup.

Or you can make a great cinnamon butter by mixing cinnamon together with Earth Balance to taste.

You can also make a maple/flax syrup by mixing 1/2 cup maple syrup and 2 teaspoons flax seed oil (that kind of ratio, because you don't want to make more syrup/flax than you will use)

Mix them together well. The oil adds a nice layer to the syrup.

Happy Saturday!

Wine a bit...Wednesday

 Happy Wine a bit Wednesday! We need to talk....

Now, I know my "Wine a bit Wednesday's" seem to get a bit off-topic at times. For instance, the large amount of sangria recipes, the watermelon drink in the summer that only called for a "dash" of wine. I know I have all the wine-o's that read this shaking their heads;they have have not been ashamed of letting me know either {wink, love ya guys}. Let me get one thing straight. I LOVE wine. I LOVE sweet wine; I LOVE dry wine; I LOVE red, white and rose! Bubbles? Bring it on! Port? Pour me a glass! I could go on about a Chablis that made my tongue twist but I know that would make everyone else, okay excluding some, Yawn. I am really going to try to have most of these posts be about an actual fan-freaking-tastic bottle that I have discovered, and not about a drink that has a only drop of wine in it.

So, with that said, I am apologizing because...

THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM!

Wooo Hooo...

CANDY CORN MARTINI TIME!



Photo from the lovely girls at Fabulously Bombed.



 This is not a process that takes 2 minutes, in fact it takes about a week because you need to make the vodka yourself. It comes in parts but I promise you one sip of this candy-corn-in-a-cup concoction, you will be thinking, "WOOOORTH IT"!

Here is what you will need for the entire process:

• Vanilla Vodka  (I used Svedka because its my fav)
• Candy Corn (get a big ol' bag so you can munch while you attend bar)
• Mason Jar (or a jar that closes TIGHT)
• Almond Milk (I, of course, am a proud vegan and do use regular milk. I used Almond Milk and that little hint of almond really did the trick!! Plus, LESS CALORIES, NO SUGAR, YES PLEASE! it was delicious!! but, use milk or cream if you prefer.)
• Bottle of Moscato(cheap bottle. don't spend too much, just a very sweet wine)

Photo from Fabulously Bombed.

1. First, you need to make the Candy Corn-Infused Vodka. Now there are a bunch of different recipes, but I experimented (I know, it was a horrible experience to endure) and the vanilla vodka was the best (in my oh-so-never-humble opinion).

Candy Corn-Infused Vodka

Step 1. Chop candy corn (like a quarter to a half a cup) into shreds and little pieces. Put in Mason Jar.

Step 2. Pour Vodka into the Candy Corn in the Mason Jar to the top.

Step 3. Let sit for at least 4 days, preferably a week.

Step 4. Filter and it is ready!

2. Congratulations, your vodka is ready. How was your week? Do anything crafty? Great! You are one step closer to having the sweet taste of candy corn heaven!

Candy Corn Martini 

Step 1: Combine in Shaker:

-1½ ounces milk

-1 ounce Candy Corn Infused Vodka

-2 ounces Moscato

-Ice

Step 2. Shake, shake, shake...shake shake shake...shake your booty.

Step 3. Put on a witch hat, paint your nails black, pour into Martini glass, and sip....

Step 4. I said SIP...don't gulp!!! I know it is good, but honestly...fine, go make another. 

Photo from the lovely girls at Fabulously Bombed.



Recipe Spoiler...

cupcakes, paper & cuteness by elleDESIGNS

 

This week I had 2 events on the weekend. One I was doing the dessert table for, one I was doing everything from the cake to the decor....whew! Busy Busy Busy week. But, with that said, just thought I would share a popular recipe of mine....double chocolate peanut butter cupcakes that also can be made, you guessed it! Vegan.

What you will need:

Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups whole grain flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup oil or butter or vegan butter substitute*

1 cup milk or soy/almond/coconut milk*

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon vinegar

1/2 cup chocolate chips or vegan chocolate*

Mix all ingredients together, except for chocolate chips, until moist and blended well. Melt chocolate and pour into batter. Mix well.  Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Sweet Peanut Butter Frosting

1 cup peanut butter (I use organic creamy)

4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter or vegan butter substitute*

1/3 cup milk or soy/almond/coconut milk*

Beat butter and peanut butter together until fluffy. Slowly add in half of the powdered  sugar. Mix in the milk and the remaining powdered sugar. You can add more milk to the consistency you would like.

                                                                                                               Final Product:



cupcakes, paper & cuteness by elleDESIGNS



After cupcakes are cool, add a sweet surprise: melt 1 cup of peanut butter in microwave until just about creamy, not runny, for about 30 seconds. Pour into icing bag with long tip. Insert into each cupcakes and squeeze for 2 seconds. Frost with the Sweet Peanut Butter Frosting using another icing tip or spatula. 

*Kudos for Cruelty-free!

 

Bridal Boot Camp-low cal snack

Love sweets? Hate Calories? Need a Treat? Hate long recipes?
Well, Hi there....Come here often?

All you need is a box of brownie mix, fat free (or low fat) cream cheese, organic crunchy peanut butter, mixing bowl, spoon, oven, and a pan.

Brownie: do not follow the recipe on the box, Just add 1 and half cups of water, stir, pour in pan and bake for 30 min at 350.

Topping: Blend cream cheese & chunky peanut butter until smooth, refirgerate while  brownies are being cooked.

Cut the brownies when cool, and dallop some peanut butter mix on top. They may not be the prettiest, but the chewy chocolate mixed with creamy nutty peanut butter will sure satisfy your sweet tooth!

vegan like me? you rock! Most brownie boxes ARE vegan!!! Check the ingredients. As for the topping, substitute your fav vegan cream cheese.. or mix the peanut butter with 1/2 cup of almond milk and refirgerate. Mmmm, cruelty-free delicious-ness!