Cupcake Bouquets & DIY Tutorial

Posted in Do It Yourself Diva, Food + Drink, Weddings by socialbfly

When I first heard about the cupcake bouquet, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. But a quick google search led me to this beautiful creation and I’m hooked! There are endless ideas for this perfect marriage of flowers and cake and who doesn’t love anything that does double duty!

The “florist bakery” featured in the video is Baked Bouquet and they’re located in Verona, NJ. Their creations “offer customers a gift that is new and unique: baked cakes, truffles, ganache, and drizzled chocolate designed and arranged in the form of beautiful flower bouquets…made daily for pick-up and hand delivery”.

I don’t know if anyone is wondering, but I wouldn’t mind getting one of these in the mail tomorrow.

Check out their very mouth-watering website at http://www.bakedbouquet.com/.

Feeling adventurous and wanna try this at home? Here’s a quick tutorial on how to recreate these beauties for yourself:

And as always, you know we wanna hear about your Cupcake Bouquet Experience so let us know!

Until further notice…celebrate everything!

6Jun2011

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Posted in Do It Yourself Diva, Food + Drink by socialbfly

I tried my hand at chocolate covered strawberries a few weeks ago after deciding to include them as one of many surprises awaiting my newly married couple upon their return to their bridal suite. Now, if you know me then you know that I am not a gourmet chef but every once in a while I get the urge to whip up something new. Sometimes, it works out perfectly…other times, notsomuch. Luckily, this time my curiosity landed on something so easy that I’m actually a little frustrated that I’ve been paying bakery prices all of these years. See for yourself…

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

The Ingredients:

1 pound strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried very well
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Raw Materials:

1 Heatproof medium sized bowl
Parchment or waxed paper

The Instructions:

Put the semisweet chocolate into a heatproof bowls
Fill a medium saucepan with about 5 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat
Turn off the heat then carefully set the bowl of chocolate over the water to melt and stir until smooth
- IN A HURRY? Melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power for 1 minute. Stir. Heat for another minute or until melted.
Remove the chocolate from the heat once it had fully melted
Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper
Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip each on into the chocolate using a lift and twist motion. This will allow any of the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl
Place the strawberries on the parchment paper and when finished let sit for 30-45 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
- IN A HURRY? Place the strawberry lined sheet pan in the refrigerator for 15 minutes for a quick set.

Now, I didn’t try these enhancements this time around but I imagine you can follow up the first chocolate plunge with a dip into coconut, chopped nuts, or even white chocolate for a little something extra. You may even want to try other types of fruits. It’s quick, easy and simple enough to try for your next baby shower, engagement party or girls night in and since not many people are going to say no to chocolate covered strawberries, they’re certified PARTY-FRIENDLY! Bon apetit!

8Apr2011

Chew On This: Oreomisu

Posted in Food + Drink, Pleasure by socialbfly

A strange phenomenon occurred during last month’s grocery trip – I bought a bag of Oreo cookies. Needless to say, one month later they were still unopened and I needed a way to get rid of them. A quick online search for oreo desserts led me to this recipe on Clumbsy Cookie. It dates back to 1998 but is still deliciously appropriate for any special event you’re planning these days.

Oreomisu

The Ingredients:

6 Oreo cookies
2 tbsp mascarpone cheese
1 tsp icing sugar
2 drops vanilla extract
¼ cup milk

The Raw Materials:

1 Medium sized mixing bowl
Small wisk

The Instructions:

Break apart the oreo cookies and scrape the filling to a bowl and set aside the wafers.
To the Oreo fillings add the mascarpone and icing sugar and mix well with a small whisk.
Mix the milk and the vanilla extract and make crumbs out of two wafers (you can do this with your fingers or press them with the bottom of a glass or rolling pin).
In small serving plates arrange alternatively the chocolate wafers dipped in the milk and the mascarpone cream. Start with a wafer and use five for each Oreomisu.
finish with mascarpone cream.
Top with the wafer crumbs and refrigerate.

Sweet and simple and better yet, there’s no baking involved which makes this the perfect recipe for a spring or summer bachelorette party, girls night in or midnight nightcap for wedding guests with sweettooths. This recipe serves two but ingredients can be doubled to accommodate more.