Dessert Trend: Liqueur-licious Ice Cream

I've mentioned my love for Twitter before, when I told you about Follow Fridays and Sweet Tooth reader/baker Laura's tweet to me. You may remember this gorgeous brunette torte she invented and submitted to Sweet Tooth during the holidays. At its core, Twitter's really great for making connections.

A few weeks ago, Lee of Lee's Cream Liqueur tweeted that she loved my dessert tables. Of course, that lead me to check out her site only to discover that she's combining ice cream and alcohol at her little shop. I've tried liqueur-infused cupcakes, but never ice cream.

After we exchanged a few tweets, I discovered that Lee's shop, which specializes in alcohol-infused ice cream, is near my dear friend's house. Luckily, Grace loves sweets as much as I do, so she was happy to visit the shop, takes pics, and eat lots of ice cream. With 49 alcoholic flavors (and several non-alcoholic ones), Grace had lots of taste testing in front of her.

After years of experimenting and trying to freeze alcohol (which has a lower freezing temp than water), Lee finally perfected several liqueur'ed up flavors. The menu includes innovative combinations like avocado vodka, Habanero Jack Daniels, and Root Beer Float Rum. Grace noted that some of the flavors had a powerful alcohol flavor, while others packed a more subtle punch.

Even though she sampled nearly every flavor Lee had to offer, Grace is a kid at heart so she ordered the non-alcoholic bananas and Oreos combo. If you're in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, it might be worth your time to swing by Lee's and sample some of the ice creams for yourself.

Have you seen any liqueur ice creameries in your area?

Week In Review & Edible Oscars

The Academy Awards are this weekend, which means Eleni's creates a new batch of Oscar nominee cookies. This year's actresses are Annette Bening, Jennifer Lawrence, Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman, and Nicole Kidman.

This week on Sweet Tooth:

I fell for these Carl Kleiner dessert photos and IKEA baking cookbook.

We had some fun debate over this M&M cake trend on the Facebook fan page.

I showed you my latest obsession and a couple delicious examples.

MN, WI, and AZ Bride shared this DIY cake topper tutorial by Maddy of Inspired Bride and I.

Of course the guys are represented as well. Pictured above are Jeff Bridges, Javier Bardem, Colin Firth, James Franco, and Jesse Eisenberg.

This week on The Sweet Life, I discussed some of the unconventional flavors of the gourmet popcorn trend. 

Here are the best movie nominees. How many can you name just by looking at the cookies?

Have a great weekend, everyone! I'll see you back here on Monday.

DIY Cake Bunting Tutorial

My good friend Maddy of Inspired Bride noticed how popular buntings have become for cake toppers and thought we should create a tutorial to show you how to make your own. She shot these lovely photos, and I made a pear spice caramel cake for this project. Minnesota Bride, Wisconsin Bride, and Arizona Bride were all kind enough to share the tutorial with their readers. 

This is such a simple way to dress up a homemade cake. I hope you'll try it. Enjoy!

Supplies:

scissors

double stick tape

ribbon in various colors, 1” and 2” wide

white cotton string

bamboo barbeque skewers (Available at your local grocery store)

Directions:

Wrap a piece of double stick tape around one of your bamboo skewers, about an inch or two from the top. (The exact positioning is ultimately your preference.) Leaving an extra 1.5" loose, begin to wrap your string around the skewer until it has covered all of the tape neatly. Do not cut the string from its ball or spool. Tie the excess 1.5" with the string portion attached to the ball or spool into a double know to hold the string in place.

Set the skewer on a table, and angle it as you wish for it to be displayed on your cake. Set out a second skewer, also tilted at a mirrored version of the same angle, as far away as you plan for them to be on the cake. Roll out string so that it bridges the two skewers with some slack and forms a soft curve. Repeat the attachment process from step one on the second skewer.

Cut 2” lengths of each color of your ribbon. Set aside in ordered piles so you can work quickly. 

To attach each flag, line each piece of ribbon with double stick tape. Center the ribbon length vertically along the ribbon, then fold it over on itself. Press down to secure, ensuring the cotton string is flush with the fold.

Cut a shallow “v” shape into the ribbon for a banner look. If you prefer the squared off look, this step can be optional.

Continue to attach flags across the length of string. Keep each flag as evenly spaced as possible. Attach additional flag strings as desired.

Insert the bunting into the cake. Do not pull out and reposition – it will make the skewer’s hole too big in some cakes and the skewers may begin to slouch, warping the presentation.

"App"etizing Sweets

This past Valentine's Day, my husband surprised me with an iPhone hidden in a box of chocolates. Needless to say, I was thrilled. My newfound gadget is on my mind throughout the day as I play Words With Friends, download flash card apps for my little one, and answer business emails. When I came across these two iPhone desserts on the same day, I just knew I had to share them with you.

Aren't these app chocolates awesome? Look at the detail, and the phone is aptly named iChocolates.

These cupcakes are creative app displays, too.

I know, I know. I'm probably showing my nerdy side here with the Scrabble and tech-y phone love, but hopefully you can at least appreciate the desserts.

images via Pinterest

Dessert Trend: M&M Cakes

We've got a few different dessert trends emerging this year. I noticed the pooch at a party trend, followed by the pony at a party concept. After sharing this candy covered Valentine's cake with you, I came across this blue and yellow version at a real wedding on Style Me Pretty.

Other blueberry and lemon treats compliment the cake's motif, while an M&M-lined tray displays seating cards.

I wonder if M&Ms will become a frequently used decoration for cakes. You might remember this pink and red M&Ms cake that I featured around Valentine's Day. It seems like an easy enough element to add to a cake. Since the candies come in so many colors, I imagine you could find any combination you need for your party. 

Do you like this trend?

Macarons in Midair

I came across these Carl Kleiner macaron photos this weekend, and couldn't stop looking at them. I love the way the macs suspended in air. The third photo looks like a giant whisk.

If you've seen this table I designed, then it's probably no surprise that I like the purple and white macarons in the whisk image.

Carl also photographed last year's IKEA cookbook Hembakat är Bäst (Homemade Is Best), which depicts the ingredients rather than just listing them. The blog Apples and Onions featured some of the book's recipes.

These ingredients make...

...these gingerbread people.

I think more cookbooks could benefit from visual ingredient lists, especially if they're styled as nicely as the IKEA images.

images by Carl Kleiner, dessert table image by Sweet Shibui

Week In Review & Flower Cupcakes

I found these lovely floral cupcakes while I was looking for inspiration online, and I just fell for them. The purple one at the top of the pic looks like a hydrangea, while the pink rose ones remind me of these purple ones from a dessert table I designed last summer.

This week on the Sweet Tooth:

We celebrated Valentine's Day with these M&Ms cookie cups and this clear dessert table.
This modern bohemian dessert table featured a pony at the party.
I hope you all enjoy this gum ball necklace DIY project as much as I did.
Lots of you loved this deck of cupcake recipe cards from Crate & Barrel.

This week on The Sweet Life, I shared these tech-y ways to get your hands on some Girl Scout Cookies.

image 1 via Pinterest, image 2 & 3: Sweet Shibui Photography

The Cupcake Deck

I was shopping in Crate & Barrel this weekend, and saw this clever recipe card concept. The Cupcake Deck is a set of card-sized recipes that make a perfect, inexpensive gift for any hobby baker. Every card has a different sweet recipe, while the back features a close-up, color photo of the finished goodies.

I'm not sure if this deck is always available, or if it's seasonal. Just to be on the safe side, snap them up now!

DIY Gum Ball Necklaces

Every little girl loves candy necklaces, so this gumball version by One Charming Party would be a fabulous treat for the little ones in your life. It's completely DIY-able and also, oddly fashion forward. I have several real necklaces that look very similar! You remember the bracelet version I made last week for my KARE 11 appearance.

Isn't this one of the cutest things ever? I love that the little girl's necklace has one differently-colored "bead."

Package each necklace in a colored jewelry box to really deliver the ultimate presentation.

Here are One Charming Party's directions for this DIY:

1. Using a metal skewer, pierce one side of the gumball. Hold the top of the gumball steady as you guide the skewer (see photo). This will prevent the skewer from slipping off the slick surface of the gumball.

2. Flip the gumball over and pierce another hole directly opposite to the first hole. If you try to poke a hole straight through both sides at once, the gumball will crack.

3. The hardest part is stringing the ribbon. Use a large needle to thread the ribbon through the gumballs. Thinner ribbon is easier to string. Tie a knot between each gumball as you string it.

images by Sara Westbrook

Dessert Table: Modern Bohemian Bash

I just may have to eat my words. Although it seems I predicted the pooch at a party trend pretty accurately, I didn't think we'd see too many horses at dessert table shoots. Well, this romantic, bohemian bash featured on 100 Layer Cake and designed by Nancy of So Happi Together and Melissa of The Loveliest Day does indeed feature a pony at a party. Along with this shoot, today's post makes two ponies in less than a week!

I love the custom bottle labels and cupcakes toppers featured here. I'm also a big fan of cake pops, cakes, and macarons, so this spread is right up my alley. There are frosted, mini cupcakes on the dessert table, but unfrosted large ones serve as seating cards at each place setting.

Valentine's M&Ms Cookie Cups

I'm back with today's second Valentine's post. This is another unconventional cupcake idea. These M&M cookie cups are a great idea. Just imagine your favorite cookie posing as a candy container. Simply press your dough into a greased standard cupcake baking pan and make an indent on top for the M&Ms to rest in (once out of the oven). The possibilities are endless. Chocolate chip with pretzel M&Ms, oatmeal raisin with butterscotch chips, or peanut butter with grape jelly beans. 

Be sure to check out today's first post for a really creative cupcake display idea!

Dessert Table: Valentine's Day on Display

This design gives the term "dessert table" a completely new, delicious meaning. An acrylic, open-sided table is used as a display case for an array of pink and red cupcakes! Ruffled featured this genius dessert table concept by Desiree Spinner Events and photographed by Trent Bailey Photography.

This is a brilliant idea, but how would you ever focus on your steak and potatoes if this many cupcakes were practically floating right in your face? What better time is there to eat dessert first? Mmmm...

Week In Review & Behind-the-Scenes

It's been a busy, but wonderful week. I've got some fun behind-the-scenes pics from my stint on the KARE 11 Today show that photog (and super friend) Emily Steffen kindly shot. The host Pat Evans, was really sweet.

On Sweet Tooth:

I made my first TV appearance on KARE 11 to share this pink, tangerine, and aqua Valentine's table.

We saw more evidence of the Pooch at a Party trend here and here.

Pink and gold won me won on this shimmery Valentine's Day dessert table.

This Cinco de Mayo dessert table was the perfect balance of cultural and classy. 

We chatted on Facebook and Twitter about this golden heart shaped chocolate cake.

I shared this incredibly easy, incredibly Valentine's Day favor idea.

On The Sweet Life:

I interviewed the owner of Sweets Bakeshop to find out what their plans are for their new shop.

I also guest blogged for my friend Maddy Hague on The Inspired Bride, because she's sitting shiva.

This cake is so breathtaking, that I had to share it here with you, too.

images by Emily Steffen

Hobnail Milk Glass Cake

I absolutely love the look of hobnail milk glass cake stands and bud vases, so when I saw this cake I was in awe. Sweet and Saucy captured the texture of the antique glass perfectly for this understated, elegant cake. The floral details are impeccable and so lifelike.

I'll be back later with the Week In Review, so stay tuned.

images via Sweet and Saucy

The Easiest Valentine's Craft Ever

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so use this weekend to get a little crafting done. I found this clever little favor on Night Baking, and it's the perfect treat for kids to exchange with their classmates. Even better, you can also leave these little presents on your favorite co-workers' desks. Don't worry, the portion size is kid and diet-friendly, too.

Simply use empty matchboxes to house about ten red and pink M&Ms. You can find the boxes in bulk  at dollar stores. Wrap each box in Valentine's paper and seal with double-sided tape. If you want to go a step further, tie a narrow ribbon around the box or add a printed label with Valentine's greetings.