Cake. Inspired.

Café Rio Cilantro Lime Sauce     My copycat version 1/2 pkg ranch dressing mix 1 cup olive oil mayo 1/2 cup milk 1 clove garlic, minced juice from one fresh lime 1/4 -1/2 cup green salsa or tomatillo sauce cilantro, about 1/2 of a bunch chopped 1/4 tea allspice Tabasco sauce as needed Literally throw everything in a blender, food processor or bowl that can be used with an emersion blender and whip it up.  That's it.  So easy and so delicious. A few notes.... I only use 1/2 of the ranch dressing pack.  For me using the whole package makes it too ranchy and I prefer more cilantro & limey sauce.  That's just my personal preference. I also prefer olive oil mayo and if I have the time I make my own.  Again, my personal preference. If I'm making this for company or a party, I use my blender.  Placing it in a blender will really mash up the sauce and give it more of an all over green color rather than greenish with green flecks....

I needed something new.... and this is what happened.   I have piles of wood just laying around the garage so I started sketching a witch hat and grabbed my jig saw.  I sprayed the whole thing with gold spray paint then used a little crackle medium and finished it with a good layer of black chalk paint.    I found these adorable purple mini r/c lights that I attached on the back side of the hat to give a touch of purple spook.  I had a roll of burlap ribbon and a couple glittery skull heads from last  year that I used as part of the bow.  There are also a couple different kinds of white flowers in the bow but they were a little too white so I mucked 'em up with dark wax.

Nesele Toulose or Nestle Tollhouse....  Doesn't really matter because its a great cookie!

I had a friend show me these adorable 'words' made of out cookies that she saw on a television show.  Of course, I loved them and had to whip out a cute Easter version of my own. I used my Grandmothers Sugar Cookie Recipe and filled in between the two cookies with chocolate ganache and mascarpone buttercream.  Yum. 

Easy Meringue Bites I love little meringue bites, they can be used in so many different ways! These are for spring and I flavored them with strawberry and lemon, each little puff is a taste of heaven. You will need: 4 large egg whites at room temp 1/2 tea cream of tartar 1/8 tea salt 1 cup fine granulated sugar 1 tea vanilla Preheat oven to 225 F Place egg whites in stand mixer (be sure its painfully clean, the slightest bit of fat will keep the whites from whipping up).  Start whipping the egg whites and when a little foaming starts add the cream of tartar and salt.  Turn on high and let whip until stiff peaks form.  Reduce speed to medium and start adding your sugar.   I use superfine sugar if you don't have it just throw granulated sugar into a blender and give it a couple whirls... Not too many, you don't want powdered sugar. Add sugar SLOWLY, one teaspoon at a time.  Once its all incorporated stop, scrape the sides of th...

This recipe is amazing and it never fails me.  Its quick, easy and makes your home smell like heaven on earth. Heat oven to 325 F  (I'm in Utah at about 5,000 feet so I reduce heat to 300.) Grease bread pan thoroughly then dust bottom and sides with sugar mixture.  Set aside. Banana Bread  3 ripe bananas smashed with a fork 1/3 c melted butter 1 egg gently whisked 1/2 c sugar 1/4 brown sugar 1 t. vanilla 1 t. baking soda 1 t. fresh grated nutmeg 1/2 t. cinnamon 1 1/2 c flour pinch of salt Sugar Crust (this is optional, you can leave it out if desired) 1/4 c brown sugar 1/4 c sugar (I like to add a little nutmeg and cinnamon but its not required) Smash bananas and set aside. In a large bowl whisk together all dry ingredients. Add whisked egg, banana, melted butter and vanilla.  Mix by hand until well combined. Pour into greased and sugared pan and bake for 50 - 60 minutes.  I like to check at the 50 minute mark.  Insert...

I have mentioned I love spring?  Yeah, I do. Working on this years edition of Spring 2019

Chocolate Ganache Buttercream From Heaven 2 cups unsalted butter 1 tea vanilla 1/4 tea sea salt 1/2 cup melted semi sweet chocolate 1/4 c heavy cream 1/4 c cocoa powder sifted 3 cups powdered sugar sifted Place semi sweet chocolate in a glass bowl with 1/4 c heavy cream and microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power or less.  Remove, stir and microwave again until smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature. DO THIS SLOWLY and don't over heat it. Place room temperature butter in stand mixer and whisk until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).  Add vanilla, salt and cocoa and whip again until well combined.  Scrape down sides and bottom a few times as during this process. Slowly add room temperature ganache.  Take time to scrape sides and bottom of bowl.  Whip for a few minutes until well incorporated and fluffy.  Now you can start adding your sifted powdered sugar.  I add it one large table spoon at a time.  (I do this to avo...

Valentine Cake Bites in a Jar.....

Last minute Bridal Luncheon Cookies....   My instructions:  Owls, dirty green, vintagy-ish floral, owls, 8 hours, 38 guests, OWLS.    

Ladybugs and Tulips....