Easter Never Gets Old

And neither do Easter cookies, really, though it's possible that is because they are never given the opportunity. I know the leftovers of this order were gobbled up by my family pretty quickly. I received an order for 4 dozen Easter cookies and immediately knew I would enjoy making these. Since I was without my in-house photographer, the pictures are scarce, much like the cookies by the following afternoon.

These sugar cookies are delicious and soft, covered in perfectly sweet royal icing decorations. Indeed, stacks and stacks of chicks, butterflies, tulips, and at least a dozen Easter eggs are a really fun way to celebrate the arrival of spring and salvation.

Cake Balls

Someone, who shall remain nameless, has long requested that I make cake balls. So, here they are in all their small-bite-of-heaven glory.

Represented here are vanilla bean with lemon curd cake balls dressed in a sweet white chocolate and red velvet with cream cheese mascarpone icing in a bittersweet chocolate coating. I'm sure more variations will come, but for now, I think these turned out successfully.
The only unsuccessful attempt during cake ball madness was coloring the red velvet cake green to honor spring. Instead of a beautiful spring green, they honored the good ol' Grinch. That is why the chocolate cake balls have a nice green drizzle. I could tell you were curious.

Though small, these cake balls are hearty and I wouldn't serve more than two or three per person. Unless you have a houseful of college-aged boys playing Settlers of Catan, in which case they might gobble them all up pretty quickly.

Engagement Cookies

I was pleasantly surprised by a sweet lady who ordered sugar cookies for an engagement party a few weeks back. She had clearly done her research into cookie ordering and I think these turned out just as she was hoping. We also recalled a good lesson when you're party-planning with the male species, Be Flexible! These little darlings went through a few changes before they finally got gussied up for the big night.

Packed up for their cross-town trip

By the way, these are made with a delicious and lightly sweet sugar cookie dough that takes a lot of a baker's self-control not to eat right out of the bowl. They are decorated with royal icing and marshmallow fondant.

Cowboys Don't Take Showers

Here's a large double chocolate cake I made for a little boy's baby shower a few weeks ago. The hostesses requested that it not be "too baby", but I couldn't help adding a few feminine flowers for the women who would be devouring the cake.

Welcome Baby Boy Cook!

Well Done Cupcakes!

The next time you need a little incentive or treat for your staff or co-workers, your kids' teachers, or hey, just for yourself, consider cupcakes! These red velvet cupcakes with mascarpone cream cheese icing do the trick very nicely.

At $1.50 a cupcake, you can enjoy a box of these delicious minis and barely dent the petty cash. Now, that's a way to celebrate!

Baby Shower Pink

Last weekend, I made two 9" cakes to take part in a dessert shower (the very best kind of party, I think) for a coming baby girl. The first, with a vines and leaves pattern, is a light vanilla bean cake with the wonderfully rich and tart lemon cream filling, iced in a light lemon buttercream.

The second cake is a deep dark double chocolate cake iced and filled with a rich chocolate ganache.

Boys might be great fun, but I will always love the sweet and delicate touches that accompany treats for little girls. Now, who wants a full tray of petit fours?

Romantical Considerations

I guess it's all due to the month of love, because I have been really busy whipping up love-themed cakes. Of course, it never hurts that the celebration of the many forms of love is a great reason for dessert.

Congratulations, Maggie and Mark, on your impending nuptuals!