Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July! Amy Atlas appropriately featured Warren Brown's "United Cakes of America"on her blog today, which I thought was so perfect.  

"Loving cake is a natural part of Warren Brown’s constitution. Now, in order to form a more perfect union of flour, eggs, butter, and sugar, he’s offering his unique take on classic dessert recipes from all fifty states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Starting out with Baked Alaska (what else?), Brown tours the whole country, updating regional confections like King Cake (Louisiana), Lady Baltimore Cake (South Carolina), Mud Cake (Mississippi), and Key Lime Pie (Florida). There are official state desserts (Maryland’s Smith Island Cake; Massachusetts’ Boston Cream Pie) and unofficial favorites (New York–style Cheesecake; St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake), as well as an ovenful of brand-new baked treats that Brown has created to honor specific states’ agricultural bounty (Avocado Cupcakes for California; Huckleberry Cake for Idaho)"

Doesn't it sound like a great cookbook? I have to keep an eye out for it next time I'm at B&N.  

Are you a fan of Warren Brown's other cookbook Cake Love? What's your favorite recipe?

Graduation Dessert Table

We celebrated my sister's graduation from high school a few weeks ago and of course, there was a dessert table!!  We had the usual favorites: brownies, blondies, chocolate covered pretzels, cakepops, cupcakes, and rice krispie treats, and added a few new additions: strawberry shortcake parfaits, biscotti, and homemade oreo cookies!

Sprinkle Heaven

Happy Monday! How amazing is this shelf of SPRINKLES? Doesn't it make you just want to dig your hand in and decorate some cupcakes? 

[Image via You Are My Fave]

Bunting Banner Cake Topper Tutorial

I saw this tutorial for a bunting banner cake topper on The Sweetest Occasion. It is super simple, easy and a fun little way to dress up your cakes. You can also make the bunting banner out of paper or fabric - there are lots of possibilities!

[Image via The Sweetest Occasion]

Candy Favors

There has been a lot of talk about candy buffets here at the Sweeterie - we just love them!  Although some people might think this trend is no longer "in" or, well, trendy, it's always a hit!  Buying bulk candy for an entire candy buffet can be expensive, so today I have an alternative favor to share with you.  I found this super cute idea on You Are My Fave's blog and loved everything about it - the bottles, the decals and the mix of candy/colors.   You can either use them as escort cards or place them at each place setting.  You can view the entire post/her tips here.

[Images via You Are My Fave]

Cake Stand Wonderland: Bountiful - Venice, CA

I took a trip to Bountiful in Venice yesterday after seeing it on 100 Layer Cake last week. I had been there before about a year or so ago and had been wanting to go back ever since...I mean, just look at all those cake stands! I shudder to think of what will happen during an earthquake - yikes! Anyways, the store is obviously amazing in terms of its cake stand collection -- there are SO many cake stands in quite a few colors.  However, it's kind of uncomfortable to walk around because you're afraid that you'll bump into something and knock everything down! I'm afraid of knocking them down just by looking at the photos I took ;)

S'mores Cupcakes

Today I have another new cupcake to share with you - a S'mores cupcake!  Chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting, graham cracker crumbs and a little piece of hershey's candy.  I have to say, this frosting is pretty amazing...I could just eat it by itself ;)  What a perfect treat for summer, no?

Almond Joy Cupcakes

I was in Las Vegas last weekend and happened upon The Cupcakery at the Monte Carlo.  I wanted to try something new so I went for their Almond Joy cupcake - it was delicious so I decided to recreate it as soon as I got home!

My version turned out great! The Almond Joy cupcake has a coconut cake dipped in ganache and sprinkled with coconut and chopped almonds (next time I might use almond slivers) This was my first successful foray into the world of ganache - I've made it before but didn't quite like how my cupcakes looked dipped in it - this time around I got the hang of it and can't wait to use ganache again - maybe for a filling?

Have you tried any new cupcake flavors lately? 

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

Here are a few fun St. Patrick's Day cupcakes I made this morning.  

Coconut cupcakes - my favorite!

My take on a 'pot 'o gold'!

St. Patrick's Day Chocolate Caramel Pretzels

Can you believe it's already mid-March? I know I can't! Here are a few St. Patrick's Day chocolate caramel pretzels that we made this morning. 

Spring Cupcakes

I made these cute spring cupcakes for a photoshoot yesterday. It was my first time working with fondant and I am hooked!  How adorable do the flowers look?! I would have never been able to do that with frosting =D  

Sugar Baby Cookbook

How fun does this cookbook look?

Sugar Baby: Confections, Candies, Cakes, and Other Delicious Recipes for Cooking with Sugar is a cookbook that offers unintimidating step-by-step instructions for making over 100 recipes including lollipops, caramel, rock candy, chocolate mousse, macarons, marshmallows, pudding pops, cakes, and much more.

I can't wait to buy this book -- it will open up a whole new world for our dessert table offerings!

Macarons Limited Edition Prints

Next month my mom and I are taking two different macarons classes - we are super excited! Since macarons are on the brain, these prints by Lucille's Kitchen totally caught my eye. I bet the iridescent silver print looks pretty cool in person!

[Photos: Lucille's Kitchen via The Neo Traditionalist]

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cupcakes

It has been a tough couple of weeks here at the sweeterie. Several of the new recipes I tried just didn't work. I was frustrated. I wanted to throw in the apron. But today I am happy to report that I have finally found a recipe that works and it is oh so good!

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cupcakes. These. Are. Amazing.  The cake is a white chocolate cake with finely chopped macadamia nuts. I topped it off with a white chocolate frosting and toasted coconut. I love these cupcakes. I have probably eaten about 20 of them today haha 

Valentine's Day Cupcakes

It's been a busy day of baking here at the sweeterie.  We baked up some delicious Valentine's Day cupcakes - I love how they turned out!

Valentine's Day Bakeware

Urban Outfitters has some really cute bakeware for Valentine's day. I've also seen some of these items at Williams Sonoma, Paper Source and Sur La Table. Click on the photo to go directly to the site.

heart measuring cups

heart shaped cutting board

heart shaped spatula

[Images via Urban Outfitters]

Valentine's Day Chocolate Covered Pretzels

We've been baking some Valentine's Day confections here at the sweeterie and I am excited to reveal one of our Valentine's Day offers - a package of 8 chocolate and caramel covered pretzels for $15.  They come individually wrapped in a kraft box with a tag and notecard (the notecard is optional).  They're a nice alternative to the regular 'ol box of chocolates and super delicious - they're always a big hit at our dessert tables!  You can choose to get 2 of each option here or you can mix and match.  To place an order, contact me at:  honeybeesweeterie@gmail.com