Sweet Idea: 3-D Gingerbread Trees

Love these!

image via BHG

Dessert Table: Christmas Cookie Swap

I'm already giving some serious consideration to this year's Christmas decor, and this Liebersbotschaft cookie swap dessert table is even more motivation for me to get the ball rolling. An edible cookie garland, cocoa stir spoons, and gingerbread men are welcome additions to this seasonal sweets setup.

images via Liebesbotschaft

Ornament Gingerbread Cookies

Classics are classic for a reason. Sometimes, it's nice just to get back to the basics. Nothing is more traditional during the holidays than ornaments, mittens, sleighs, and gingerbread. You can find more yummy pics and the recipe at The Patterned Plate.

Gingerbread Village Table Runner

Photog Rebecca Hansen captured this edible winter wonderland for Snippet & Ink. Gingerbread houses sit atop a kraft paper runner that's sprinkled with powdered sugar "snow". This would make any kid happy to sit at the kiddie table if you made a smaller version to line their shorter table.

Already maxed out on time? Opt for graham crackers or pre-made gingerbread house kits to make your little village.

Dessert Table: Peppermint Party

'Tis the season for red and white stripes (and touches of light blue). Such a simple, but bold palette. I love this dessert table by A Little Polkadot via Design Dazzle. It's fun and none of the sweets are cute and uncompliated. The North Pole cupcakes are one of my favorite elements. No, no. It has to be the meringue snowmen. Yeah, for sure the snowmen. Or the white chocolate truffle tower...

Want to try some of these goodies yourself? Breeze on by Design Dazzle for the recipes and how-tos.

Week In Review & Gingerbread in Flight

There have been some fun posts this week on the Sweet Tooth, including:

I shared this inspiration board and sneak peeks of a modern dessert table design

This XOXO dessert table I made for Emily Steffen

A Target Valentine's dessert table submitted by a Sweet Tooth reader

I loved this beautifully sinister Snow White dessert table by Belle Amour

I also wrote a few yummy posts for City Pages' The Sweet Life, like:

Companies that let you design custom chocolate bars like these

I also gave some Valentine's suggestions for different types of chocolate addicts

If you're in the Twin Cities, be sure to check out these places to get great chocolate cakes

images by Go Make Me

Winter Whimsy

Winter in Minnesota means skiing, sledding, broomball, and lots of snow. These hobbies and icy accents have a way of showing up in all kinds of events, and here are a few desserts that are Whimsical Winter done right.


Brooklyn Bride featured this glacial cake in the Week in Review. Somehow, the cake manages to showcase a plethora of winter symbolism without looking overly cutesy or cluttered.

Cakes 4 Fun created this jagged masterpiece using rice paper and edible glitter.

This Le Petit Atelier cookie is one of the most ornate gingerbread snowflakes I've ever seen. The swirls and silver beads make it an edible luxury.

Nothing says "Winter" like dogs in sweaters, right? Eleni's certainly thinks so.

I like the little dog cookies, but the sculptural, icy cake gets my vote. It's definitely a showstopper. Which one is your favorite winter-y design?

Today's the eighth day of the 10 Days of Craftsmas. I'll be back with the next DIY project of the series later today. See you then! 

Happy Birthday, Baby! & A Holiday Table Challenge

You might recognize one of these images from my recent Star Tribune interview, but today I'm going to share this entire winter-y design with you. I recently designed this dessert table for my little donut's birthday.

In the midst of planning the design, Kelly of The Party Dress invited me and several other bloggers to participate in her Holiday Table Challenge. Needless to say, I thought this unconventional color palette would be a fitting addition to her holiday themed table posts.

Gingerbread House Invites & Printables

Late yesterday I shared my interview in the recent issue of the Star Tribune newspaper with you. In case you missed it, be sure to check it out here. Now, on to today's sweet post.

This concept is just inspired. Nothing says winter like gingerbread, in all its forms, but especially in house form. One Charming Party featured these adorable, printable gingerbread house invitations for a little girl's gingerbread house building party.

After printing out the invite, attach candies, and enclose in a clear envelope to protect your work.

When you send out invites this cute, the edible version your kiddies make at the party have some big shoes to fill. These little houses fit the bill.

Swing by One Charming Party to print the invitations for yourself, and let the party begin.

Later today, I'll be back with the 2010 Holiday Gift Guide. There are yummy gift ideas for you and the sugar addicts in your life, even the ones across the pond. See you then!

Featured: Nevie Pie Cakes

I stumbled upon Natasha Collins' company, Nevie Pie Cakes, while doing a search for gingerbread houses, and found a treasure trove of painted desserts. Her award-winning, fondant-covered gingerbread houses are hand-painted with shabby chic designs that leave her creations less rustic and more sophisticated.

Natasha gave me a few tidbits about her entrance into the baking/painting world:

"I first made a gingerbread house last year for the Origins Eco House competition, which I won! Then I made one for the Brighton Open House exhibition. I love the cuteness of little houses and I have taken on birds and bird houses as something of a theme. I was a textile designer for nearly 12 years which is why I paint, my piping skills are terrible!"

I have a hard time believing that any of Natasha's dessert decorating skills are even slightly rusty, but I'll take her word for it. Did you notice the little bicycle, mailbox, and table and chairs with the second house? What about the composting pile and recycling bins in the first pic? That little house won the Origins Eco House competition that spurred Natasha to continue crafting tiny houses.

Check out Natasha's Flickr photostream and blog to see more of her designs.

The White (Chocolate) House

White House pastry chef, Bill Yosses, created a white chocolate replica of the Obama's residence for their official gingerbread house. Yosses thought of every detail, including a tiny sugar Bo the dog near the front steps and a little marzipan veggie garden.The 400 lb creation took six weeks to make and even has a view into the State Dining Room.

Image (People.com)

Contest: Sugar Shacks - Update

I've gotten a few emails about the gingerbread contest. Many of you want to participate, but don't have the time because of the overall chaos of this time of year. I completely understand, because I'm feeling much the same way. So, we'll postpone the contest and we'll just have to live vicariously through this great Rebecca Russell creation.

Contest: Sugar Shacks

It's that time of year, so get out your graham crackers, frosting, and gum drops. Martha has a collection of different gingerbread houses, that range from unconventional black and white to classic candy cane fun. My attempts have been lackluster in years past. Here's hoping to a better outcome for the '09 model.
I'd love to see your gingerbread houses. Send your images to info {at} shaunayounge {dot} com and I'll post them! The best gingerbread house's creator will get a $10 JC Penney gift card! Become a follower to get the latest updates on the contest and see the winning house.

*All submissions must be received by Nov 20. Winner will be announced Nov 23.*

Special Delivery: Goodies As Gifts

Leave it to Real Simple to making packaging and sending holiday goodies, well, real simple. Cranberry-pineapple relish, raspberry pinwheels, gingerbread men, and spiced mixed nuts are all easy to make. When packaged right, even store-bought goodies are elevated to gift-worthy status.