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?