Pages

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Robot Birthday Party

 {Featured on A Blissful Nest}
This birthday party theme was chosen by the birthday girl who wanted robots. The printables are all by A Blissful Nest and they provided great inspiration for the cake, cookies and cupcakes. The cupcake toppers were cut with a scalloped cutter and taped onto drink stirrers which are food safe and are easy to cut.

The cake was just for the birthday girl and covered in gears and cogs made from a mold by decoratethecake.com. A mix of fondant and gumpaste is used to fill the molds and then placed in the freezer for a few minutes to set the fine lines of the mold.
The bright yellow wall was a great background and the red chevron table runner made everything pop. The table runner is from Fine Pillow Covers on etsy. I can always find what I need for a party on etsy.    
    

I hand molded some little screws to give more dimension to the cupcakes. The primary color sprinkles and the gray cupcake liners finished off the look.



Sugar cookies are topped with fondant discs attached with a little icing and a couple of gears are all they need. A dot border is added in icing.


Finding candy in coordinating colors is so easy now that the dessert table trend has become so popular. Party City has an aisle of colored candy to match any party.

The invitation with the gears and chevron detail was perfect for our party.


A little ribbon and candy labels dress up the candy jars. I have a collection of basic shapes and use the same ones over and over. 



The vinyl wall decals are made by Decal Farm on etsy. These went onto the wall easily and came off without damaging the paint. I was able to choose the exact colors I wanted. After the party, some went up in my daughter's room and some were used in the locker at school. The favor bags and favors are from Michael's.

This is how I plan a party because I have fun doing it and going to a little extra effort makes a big difference. It does not take much work to throw a memorable party.


Friday, March 9, 2012

Biscoff Cupcakes

 I can't get enough of the flavor of Biscoff cookies. Now, they not only have Biscoff spread, they also make Biscoff Sprinkles!! Of course, I immediately started thinking about the best cupcake combinations to showcase those sprinkles. Maybe banana and chocolate would be best? You can never go wrong with a chocolate cupcake, but that might be too much with chocolate icing.
 So, the combination I settled on was a cream cheese cupcake with a Biscoff filling, chocolate fudge frosting and the Biscoff sprinkles on top, where they belong.
 This is what the box looks like, so you can find it. My international grocery store carries it.
 A cookie half on top was really not too much.






Biscoff Filling


1/4 cup Biscoff Spread
2 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon half and half

In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, beat until smooth. This makes enough filling for 24 cupcakes using a cupcake plunger.
Consistency of filling may be adjusted to desired consistency by adding more half and half.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Birthday Cake Chex Mix

I love Birthdays. I guess because I love parties and cake, and any excuse to break
from normal routine and celebrate. Growing up, a birthday cake usually meant
a box cake mix, but we looked forward to it with great anticipation.
To me, that flavor elicits memories of home, family, and good times. 
This simple recipe captures that flavor and it is just right for any birthday party.
 The yummy part, cereal coated in white chocolate and vanilla frosting,
tossed in powdered sugar and white cake mix.
 
 The cereal coated in multi-colored non-pareils just screams "party!"

A word of warning: it is very hard to stop eating Birthday Cake Chex Mix,
so be sure to share!





Birthday Cake Chex Mix
18 servings (1/2 cup each)
9 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex (or combination)
1 ½ cups white chocolate chips
1 cup ready to spread vanilla frosting
4 ounces multi-colored non-pareils candy sprinkles
¾ cup powdered sugar
¾ cup boxed white cake mix
1 package birthday candy cake decorations

1. In a large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2.  In a 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave white chocolate chips on 70% power for 45 seconds and stir well. Heat for an additional 20 seconds longer or until mixture is smooth without any lumps remaining. Pour melted chocolate over cereal, tossing to coat.
3.  In a small microwavable bowl, melt vanilla frosting for 15 seconds on high power and stir. Heat frosting for seconds more if needed for smooth consistency. Pour over cereal and stir until evenly coated. Note: Do not melt chocolate and frosting together or the chocolate will seize.
4. Put 2 cups of cereal in a 1-gallon food storage resealable plastic bag and add the non-pareils. Shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool.
5. Put remaining 7 cups of cereal in 2-gallon food storage resealable plastic bag. Add the powdered sugar and cake mix. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool.
6.  Place all of the coated cereal and the candy cake decorations in an airtight container to store.