Chicks Man!

Around the Web Wednesday

Bakerella never disappoints!

She is even nice enough to tell us how to make them!

If you have never been to Bakerella....then you are missing out

on the cutest little cakes!

Can you believe these?

Sweet Tooth

I can't believe how many great cake inspirations there are! There are some fabulous designs! These are a few of my very favorites! I hope you can take these designs to your local bakery and have them recreate them for you! By the way if you happen to live near Arlington Texas....I highly recommend Cooper Street Bakery! They are fantastic! They do not do fondant BUT....they smooth out their buttercream and they taste so good! Try them out! They are making the above cake for me minus the zebra stripes....we are doing black and white stripes instead! Classic Tres Chic Paris!

Now for the goodies!!

Miniature cakes...for everyone!

Little girls would love having their own cakes!

(or big girls too)

Something Sweet Friday

Every Friday I will leave you with something sweet for the weekend. I highly recommend the following recipe. Yes, there are few steps to this one....So, who has time? Well, I took the time because it sounded so good! And it was definitely worth it! I do have to warn you though....you might have to send a little more time at the gym on Monday! So, lets get to the good stuff!

Chocolate cupcakes stuffed with strawberry chocolate ganache

Frosted with chocolate glaze and buttercream

I did a small batch for a small group. The recipes could be easily doubled or quadrupled without any problems. One pint of strawberries is all you will need to both top the cupcakes and to chop for the filling.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cupcakes~8 regular cupcakes / 350 degree oven

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, room temp

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar

1 large egg, room temp

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup high quality unsweetened cocoa powder like Valrhona brand

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1. Beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

2 Add egg and beat until well combined.

3. Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a small sized bowl and whisk to combine.

4. Measure out the milk and vanilla and stir to combine

5. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk/vanilla and beat to combine. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry.

6. Scoop batter into cupcake cups about 2/3’s full. Bake cupcakes for about 22-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Strawberry Ganache Filling and Ganache Glaze

4.5 ounces (128 grams) Valrhona 85% cacao (or any bittersweet chocolate)

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

pinch salt

1/3 cup strawberries, diced

1. Chop chocolate and transfer into a heat proof bowl.

2. Heat cream until bubbles form around the edge of the pan, pour cream over the chocolate.

3. Let sit for 1 minute then stir until combined.

4. Add vanilla and salt. Stir until combined.

5. Divide the ganache in two approximate equal portions. In the first portion, mix in the chopped strawberries. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill.

6. Leave the second portion on the counter to cool down. You want the filling to thicken up before the glaze. Once the filling is think, fill the cupcakes with it. Then glaze with the glaze. See assembly instructions below.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-3 cups powdered sugar

1. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter at medium speed until creamy.

2. Add the milk, vanilla extract, and 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat at low speed, occasionally stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, until light and fluffy. Add more powdered sugar to arrive at the consistency and sweetness you like.

Assemble

1. Fill the cupcakes with the strawberry ganache filling using the cone method. (See below)

2. Spoon a tablespoon of glaze on each filled cupcake and smooth.

3. Top with buttercream frosting and a strawberry.

Cone Method

Start cutting into the cupcake following along the line of the cupcake wrapper. Imagine the shape of a cone and that is what you are cutting out. Make sure you are only going down about 1/3 of the cupcake. It doesn't have to be deep.

ENJOY!

Around the Web Wednesday

Wanna have a slumber party?

Wow...what a great party idea!

Donna over at http://www.partywishesscv.blogspot.com/

has a fabulous post today.

I especially love the glass cylinders filled with gumballs!

Talk about a kid in a candy store...or any age!

This would be a great baby shower too!

Check out these pictures and head on over to party wishes blog and read all of the great details!

Pink Poodle Party Inspirations

Here are a few of the ideas items from around the web that I am using for the party. The plates, mini poodles, and necklaces can be found at www.orientaltrading.com

Tomorrow I will preview some incredible cakes! You can't miss these!

Pink Poodle in Paris Party

My daughter will soon be turning 5 and she has asked to have a pink poodle and make up party. Make-up? What? I know....she is only turning 5! Well, I was looking for a hip but YOUNG way to do what she really wanted. I will keep you posted on my inspirations! Hope you can use them too!

As with any party I picked out my color palette and we are using hot pink and black. The first pictures are the invitations. Since I couldn't find something that I really thought went with the party...I made my own invitations. Pictures are below....

More pictures and posts to come! So stay tuned...we have only begun!

Hello to all and Happy Monday!

I am so excited! Today is my first day as an official blogger! I have been reading blogs for months now and I have been so anxious to get involved by giving my 2 cents on party ideas, recipes and ideas for every day fun! I hope you can join me in my journey and pick up some ideas that might make your life simpler! I am sure you can teach me something too!

So, come on over and see me everyday! I look forward to getting to know you and getting feedback from all!

My party inspirations........My Beautiful Daughters!