Truffles on the Menu

My mom sent me a link to this website where she found these delicious looking chocolate truffles. When I went to visit the website I was amazed by how easy it is to make these bite-size balls of goodness (and yes, I just said that!). But how else can you describe this tiny chocolaty treats that are packed with richness?

These are Brigadeiros: "the gooey, chocolatey, caramel-y Brazilian candy treat"

I decided to try this recipe out for dinner at my mother-in-law's tonight, since family is visiting from out of town. (Mom, I will be sure to bring you some the next time I visit, and again, thanks for sending me this link) From start to finish these treats probably took under an hour to make, you could tack on more time for the refrigeration process, but I was able to get other stuff done while these little guys chilled out :)

There are only 4 ingredients to this recipe. All you need to do is to combine 1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk, ½ cup Dutch process cocoa powder, and 3 tablespoons butter. Heat this over medium heat and stir until the chocolate mixture is at a thick consistency. From there, all you have to do is pour the mixture into a square dish, refrigerate for an hour or so, and then roll the chocolate into 1 in. balls. Let them take a dip into a pool of sprinkles (whatever kind you like) until fully covered and then you are done!

That was my quick version of this recipe, but to view the actual one, with pictures and all, click on the link I have provided.

I highly recommend this small dessert for any kind of get-together. They have a fun yet sophisticated look, they are rich in flavor, and they sound expensive! Brigadeiro, they are a truffle after all.

And the Poll Went Gaga...

Your WINNER is...Lady Gaga!

Lady Gaga, clearly a unique soul and extremely talented, this cupcake was inspired was inspired by this multifaceted musician. Her extraordinary taste in fashion has influenced the design of one-of-a-kind cupcake.

I chose to create a cupcake that truly captured the essence of this standout celebrity. Her bleached blond hair and big sunglasses are a part of this artist's signature style.

The nest-like head piece inspired the base of this cupcake's decorations.

Lady Gaga, shocking and unprecedented entry into the 2011 Grammys also influenced this cupcake.

The cupcake was extremely fun to create as I had very creative individual to pull from.

As for the cupcake itself, I felt the cupcake needed some

"pizazz" so I created a vanilla cupcake that was swirled with two different colors.

So here it is...I hope you find it as entertaining as Lady Gaga, herself:

Your LADY GAGA inspired cupcake

CARmageddon=Baking Weekend :

Ok, so for all you So. Cal folk you know that this is the weekend to either get out of town (TODAY) or stay home. Since the 405 closure is keeping me from going anywhere east of my home, I thought it was a good time to create my "Celebrity Inspired" cupcake, that has been picked by those of you who like to follow my blog. Since, the "Celebrity Inspired" cupcake is about the aesthetics, and will probably require some time, I think this weekend will be a good time to create this fun dessert. So...

PLEASE PLACE YOU VOTE TODAY, before the poll closes tomorrow at 12 noon. If you want to write in a vote, leave it in a comment.

-its Thursday people...time to get desserted!

Marshmallow Fondant, Lemon Cake Pops, and a Chocolate RED WINE Cupcake

This was the first time I ever used homemade fondant to decorate an entire cake. It was for Mike's nana's surprise birthday party. I used marshmallows, white chocolate, vanilla, and confectioners sugar to make the fondant. This fondant is extremely sticky and it takes a lot of kneading and powdered sugar to make it the consistency where it is easy to work with. I used cookie cutters to cut out these flowers, though, they kind of look like rounded out stars. I threw in some grapes because the theme was wine.

I also made dark chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate cabernet sauvignon frosting. I made a rich chocolate cupcake and decided to throw some wine into the frosting, because who doesn't like chocolate and red wine? It is probably the best combination since peanut butter and jelly. I added the wine to taste. I probably used about 2 cups. I, personally, really enjoyed this frosting because it gives the chocolate frosting a sophisticated taste. It is such a wonderful combination of flavors. You can really smell the wine and sweetness of the chocolate when you walk into the room.

Lastly, for the party I made lemon cake pops. I made a lemon buttercream frosting to mix with the lemon cake and I coated them with purple candy melts and also semi sweet chocolate chips with sprinkles. I think the lemon cake with the chocolate coating were the best ones :). I put them in the dragonfly tea cup because of my dragonfly tattoo for Shane, and Shane is Nana's first great-grandson.

The Birthday Girl

My Fantastic Family