Sweet Idea: Striped Valentine's Mousse

Stick with me here. I know you don't usually think of peppermint for Valentine's Day, but what better way to use those leftover canes from the holidays than in a pink, layered, white chocolate mousse? Steph of raspberri cupcakes whipped these beauties up for Christmas, but I'm seeing a sweetheart dessert idea here.

images by raspberri cupcakes

Dessert Table: Peppermint Party

Jessie of Shop Sweet Lulu created this sweet little gingerbread house party for her little ones and included a cocoa bar in the festivities! Pops of red and subdued grey look great in the mostly white room. Whoopie pies, meringues, and marshmallows round out the sweet selection.

pics via Shop Sweet Lulu

Pretty Peppermint Sweets

Nothing says "holidays" quite like peppermint. I love it this time of year. It seems like I've always got a mini cane in my pocket or purse. Peppermint in cocoa? Hello, it's great! I've round up some pretty red and white sweets to inspire your peppermint baking projects this year.

A white chocolate, peppermint cake layered with cheesecake sounds like a divine diet-destroyer.

What are your fave sweets to add peppermint to during the holidays?

Studio DIY peppermint macarons, Southern Living white choc cheesecake, Martha Stewart  peppermint egg nog

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.

Holiday Recipe Heaven: Day 3 - Double Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti

 

Later today, I've got a fast favor presentation idea inspired by H&M's holiday ad campaign, but first let's check out today's recipe. It's the third day of Holiday Recipe Heaven and I must say BHG's Double Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti is simply wonderful, because you can store them for up to three months. So, you can make a double batch now, and freeze some to get you through the winter.

Dessert Table: Girls and Games Shower

Kathleen of Twig & Thistle designed this dessert table and the gorgeous paper goods for her little sister's bridal shower. To bring a sophisticated touch to the girly palette, Kathleen served a pink lemonade cake and topped it with sugar poppies. She also served Sofia champagne, gin and tonics with grenadine, and blackberry IZZEs.

Kathleen really thought of everything. She designed the invites, bingo cards, game scratch-off cards, and pop quiz cards. She elevated simple powdered donuts by placing a short stack in fluted cupcake liners.

Be sure to swing by Twig & Thistle to see more desserts and paper goods from the shower. The bingo cards are a great custom touch.

Last-Minute Christmas Treats

 

 

I'm sure you're rushing around and dealing with the crowds and traffic that this time of year inevitably brings, so a full dessert table probably isn't high on your to-do. That doesn't mean you can't still incorporate candy into your holiday decor.

Stick with a simple red and white palette to make any last minute tasks easy. Use candy canes to prop up seating cards, or attach names to goodie bags filled with gourmet marshmallows at each seat. If you're feeling like you've got some extra time, create tiny gingerbread houses (you can cheat and use a pre-baked kit) to hang on the rim of your cocoa mug.

Peppermint decor (Martha Stewart), Pizelle cone ornaments (Country Living), Peppermint marshmallows (Edible Crafts)