Cake Pop Extravaganza!

 I. Love. Weddings. I've always loved them...call me a hopeless romantic but there is just something magical in the air at these types of events. The Morcom/Sprinkle Wedding was no exception. I've grown to know and love these two over the last few years and their marriage was one that many called from early on. They are perfect for each other. God has joined two souls in a most beautiful union.

Leading up to this whimsical celebration of love, I had quite a task before me. I had the honor of making the guest favors for the reception. I've never taken on an order this large (with the exception of my camp cook days where a couple hundred of everything were always on the menu).

The process begins by making your favorite batter (homemade or boxed...whatever works for you). In this case, I made five flavors: Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate, Orange Crème, and Red Velvet. Once the cake is baked and cooled, I crumbled it into a gallon bag and placed it in the refrigerator.

After about 30 minutes I took out the cake and mixed it, along with about a 1/2c of homemade butter cream icing (yum!). It does not take much icing. Remember you can always add more, but you can't take away.

I used a melon baller to scoop out the cake to get uniform sized balls. Roll gently in your hands, making them as compact as possible. Set on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Stick them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes but no more than 45 minutes.

Right before you take the balls from the freezer, melt your chocolate. I used a combination of Almond Bark and Chocolate chips (about half and half). Melt for about 20 seconds and stir. Continue melting in 10 second intervals until the chocolate is smooth.

Have your dipping station ready prior to beginning your cake pops. This means, sticks, wax paper to set the pops on and any decorations you wish you use (unless you are icing decorations afterwards).

Take a stick and dip it about a centimeter into the chocolate. Immediately push it about 1/3 of the way into the cake ball. Quickly dip the whole cake pop, up to the stick, in the chocolate. Gently tap the stick on the side of the bowl while slowly swirling the pop several times in order to allow the chocolate to coat the pop evenly.

Place on the wax paper and decorate with sprinkles, colored sugar, etc. If you are icing the decorations, allow the pops to dry completely.

Strawberry with White Chocolate and Sprinkles

Chocolate and Chocolate...enough said

Red Velvet and Light Blue colored White Chocolate with Sugar Crystals

Package or display your pops as you wish.

Vanilla with White Chocolate and Teal Stripes

I was thrilled to see my work displayed along side their beautiful table settings. 

   

Cinco de My-oh-my

While many of you may be going out to celebrate with a margarita or two, we'll be eating in. Even so, we have a lot to celebrate!

7 years ago today, my amazing husband (then boyfriend asked the question that would change our lives. On bended knee at the base of the Clock Tower, the love of my life asked me to marry him...and of course I said "yes!"

The place of our proposal

All smiles!

Happily engaged!

Just a quick side note...just hours a part on that same day, one of my dearest friends and her boyfriend also got engaged. When we talked on the phone that night we could not believe we had the same type of news to share! She and I could not have found better men and to make things even better, the two of them clicked during our dating years and we've all been friends ever since!

One of our annual fall trips to a local orchard



It's hard to believe that it has been 7 years since that day. The Lord has blessed our lives immensely and for that we remain grateful.

I've put together a festive menu and some fun décor for tonight's dinner that I look forward to sharing with you soon. On the list is the same dessert that we had the night of our engagement (only it will be homemade, so let's hope I do it justice).

How will you celebrate the 5th of May?

Sweet Valentine

Valentine festivities are finally over and I've gathered some of my favorites to share with you.

 

 

With all of the snow (15 inches or so) I was home bound for a few days. That did not stop me from spreading some love. I dropped G's Valentines off with her sitter on Monday, just in case we got the snow they were calling for. For my sitter I put together a yummy chocolate peanut butter pie and some Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls (you have to try them!). And for the kiddies...

"I love you "beary" much!" attached to a bag of teddy grahams.

I loved the CC Cookie Dough Balls so much that I put them into sweet little baggies for my co-workers. They were a hit! (Thought I had a picture but alas, I do not). For my students I took some creative liberty from various posts found on Pinterest and put together these adorable little goldfish baggies. The kids adored them!

 

 

I gave a little sneak peek of one of my Valentine projects a while back...and I must say I just loved it! I made G a little red and white heart jumper. She flaunted it proudly.

 

My hubby had to work on Valentine's Day so it was just G and I. We gave her Llama Llama Red Pajama as a little gift. 

 

My hubby and I opted to celebrate the Day of Love on the 15th when he could be home. I planned a very special (and quite ambitious) meal. While everything turned out very tasty, it was a little stressful attempting to cook and manage a 9 1/2 month old (making a mental note for next year).

 

Table Centerpiece

 

The Menu

 

The Table

 

The Dessert

These brownies were AMAZING!!! Try these Knock You Naked Brownies for yourself :)

Overall I probably gained 10lbs but considering this was a week filled with splurges, I don't feel too bad. (Is it crazy that I'm already looking forward to next year? But until then I have a 1st birthday to begin planning...)