Hello Kitty Tea Party

Me-ow! 

How did Hello Kitty become such a lasting phenomenon? I remember her since elementary school. I mean, this simple character created over a billion dollar industry and even has not one, but two official theme parks. Talk about being big. 

Well, like most girls, my sister N is a die hard fan. I'm surprised she hasn't gotten a tattoo of this cat somewhere. So for her 23rd birthday, I wanted to surprise her with an even sweeter version of Hello Kitty.

Don't you just want to lick her?

More kitty cats...and man, they were difficult to make.

So the leftover batter became mini cupcakes. By the way, Hello Kitty's bows are made from inverting two jumbo heart sprinkles and "gluing" them together with some royal icing since I cannot find any bow shaped sprinkles.

Still, you gotta admit they look cute as singles too.

For some reason, I was very into the dome shaped, flat-top look for a while.

Cream cheese frosting, dyed pastel blue and electric yellow.

One of N's favorite colors.

I love seeing them lined up together. Gives me a bountiful sense.

Even better when crowded on my cake stand.

Her birthday was the weekend after "Alice in Wonderland" opened, so I wanted to set up a tea party theme before we head out for the night.

The tres leches cake was from King's and incredibly tasty. I need to learn that recipe next, and convert it to cupcake form. Cookies, gifts, finger sandwiches and of course tea to round out the whole setting.  

Afterward, we headed out to dinner at Sushi Gone Wild, which was surprising decent. The funny part of the night for me was when the owner and sushi chef came out, announced he loved us and wanted to see us again real soon. Aww, we just have that affect on people. Of course he was also downing sake with his regulars all night.

May all your wishes come true. No one deserves them more.

Ta-ta for now!

Guittard Mints

How to say I love you when the object of your affection adores mint? Just run out and get a bag of Guittard mint chips, the best mint green chips anywhere

I know, I sound like and advertisement, but they are just that good. If you love Andes mint, then you'll love this rich brownie with dark bittersweet chocolate and mint chips. So decadent in your mouth and the mint wakes you up.

I really need better lighting to show off how moist and rich this recipe is. And the chocolate chips were oozing and melting out of the brownie. Oddly, the mint stayed totally intact. My fear of a color mess was subsided.

I would say a successful experiment. Happy birthday Susan!

Green Eggs and Ham

I adored Dr. Seuss growing up. The rhymes and pictures were so silly. And I remembered Green Eggs and Ham, because I thought it was the strangest color for those types of food and also because it reminds me of my little brother, CC. He is still the pickiest eater I know.

So when X visited me and said she wanted an interesting breakfast, I dug through our kitchen and came up with this. All in under thirty minutes. It kind of felt like a quickfire challenge, you know, the ones you see on Top Chef. Although I had fun, I must admit this was a semi-success.

Using green food coloring as my only tool, I melted the butter, mixed in the dye and spread it over some potato bread to toast. It came out quite nicely. The eggs were scrambled to mix in the dye. I attempted one as a sunny-side up, but no deal. As for the "ham" portion, we only had corned beef hash. It would not change color at all - FAIL.

I think next time, I would bread the ham with dyed bread powder so it'll look slightly more green?

As for me, I wanted to use my new cookie cutters during breakfast time ;)

See, breakfast time can be creative too. And delicious.

Remember, it's the most important meal of the day. So have fun with your mornings!

Isa's treats

For a one year old Isa's birthday party, I decided to make her some sweet treats.

Of course, it wouldn't be me without a little twist.

Armed with a good old American classic, rice krispie treats, I made them into pop form for ease since it's a backyard bbq party. I have to say, they really went all out for the baby. The whole place was decked out, edible fruit arrangements, Snow white pinata and decor. All were so cute and they even had a bounce house. 

It turns out to be baby's first sugar! Haha, and she really likes chocolate

Poor mama K was greatly surprised when Isa asked for more.

Dip in some TJ Belgium chocolates and decorated with all types of sprinkles, chopped up mint and butterscotch chips and candied pearls.

Yay, I love this picture! The rainbow sprinkles just look so cheery

Minty crunch

Sweet butterscotch

More chocolate sprinkles

Pink pearl candies

Rainbow stars

Fruity pebbles treats! I wanted to try fruit flavors and they actually work

Classic squares

Just plain chocolate is always best

Here's a extra treat box I brought into work. I was so surprised that there were quite a few people who have never tried a rice krispie treat 

I always bring a gift the birthday baby can use for after the party's over. Plus, I couldn't help it when I saw this shirt, it's too sweet

Can you believe this is a pajama onesie?! Why can't they make them in my size?

Happy birthday Isa!

Faux Hostess

Cost Plus World Market has the funnest things there! I had to stop myself from spending every last dime.

Aren't these cupcake liners adorable? Its made from silicone too.

And they carry good old fashioned Marshmallow fluff! I was smiling the whole time I held this jar.

So this trip down memory lane led me to other childhood comforts. Growing up, one of my favorite snacks was the Hostess cupcake. Chocolate cake with a surprise! Vanilla center and more chocolate on top. Then there's that swirl. I never did learn why, but I loved seeing that white swirl, so simple, so tantalizing. And there's always two in a pack, meaning I can have one all to myself and still share with my sisters.

Ganache, such a scary concept. But turns out wonderfully easy and simple to make.

So have the Devil's food chocolate cupcakes cooled, which was made with ....Dutch processed cocoa powder! Insert filling. Then dip and swirl the cupcakes right away into the ganache and let it set.

Glossy and gorgeous...I felt like Alice falling down, down the rabbit hole.

I couldn't stop myself. There were mini cupcakes glistening with their ganache topping. I had to top that, with chocolate frosting swirls.

It's like a Hostess kiss, but creme filled.

The leftover marshmallow filling was put to good use. I made these specifically for Y's birthday. She's a total chocolate, chocolate, chocolate fiend. Which always weirds me out because she's so healthy and physically active. Although I have learned recently that a lot of healthy people have very sinful indulgences.

So with a little imagination, the swirly 'y' was born. I love personalizations, and cursive writing.

Of course, I couldn't ignore that tantalizing swirl I remember so fondly. Plus they were quick and fun to make.

Ta-da!

Wouldn't you want a gift box full of personalized, homemade cupcakes for your birthday? Yummy, I think I'll lapse into a sugar coma if I consume all this.

Happy 21st birthday again, Y! And thanks for giving me the perfect excuse to indulge in a childhood favorite.

Bite sized

Have you ever made cupcake bites?

Miniatures are soo cute! I saw these online and wanted to try. Plus, this would make a fun Easter treat.

Gotta start with the cake pops

Mix in some cream cheese frosting and roll

Candy molds. I just bought them for this specific purpose.

Some melted semi-sweet chips and a spoonful of shortening

Dip the bottom of the chilled balls of cake and fill the molds

Almost like peanut butter cups, with an egg shaped protrusion, ready to be decorated

Colorful vanilla candy melts and some sprinkles.

Yay! My version of an Easter egg hunt, although much yummier

So much fun to decorate. Fairly easy too so it would be a cinch for kids to try.

I had some strawberries, pretzels and almonds laying around. Might as well dip and decorate them too

Mmm, my very own chocolates

Come on, take a bite and enjoy