Coconut Macaroon Trees

I was playing around with coconut macaroons again. This time, I gave the 400 grams of unsweetened coconut flakes a little pre-toast before mixing it with the 2 egg whites, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 290 millilitres of condensed milk, and zest of 1 lemon.

I think it worked out. The cookie dough was just right! Sticky enough to hold the coconut shreds together, but not soaking wet that puddles were forming after they were molded.

I even gave the dough a few drops of green food colouring. Then took out my tree cookie cutter for some holiday spirit.

I guess I could have used more green food colouring.

The one on the very right had no food colouring at all. I made that one just to compare. Still it wasn't green enough! I thought that the coconut flakes would help emulate the leaves of evergreen trees. What do you think? They almost look like rice krispie squares in the photo!

Drizzle some chocolate and decorate the trees with sprinkles for some holiday cheer! Yum, I love how these cookies are crispy and nice and chewy.

Bike and Birds Bridal Shower Cupcakes

Terra, a typesetter at work is getting married at the end of summer and her department organized a wonderful bridal shower for her. Erin, her partner, used to work at our company before she decided to become a freelance editor. The both of them are hardworking, lovely people - I couldn't be happier for them!

When I was given the choice to make cupcakes for their party or forever be known as "evil cupcake girl" by the whole department, I knew I had to make them - I wanted to make them.

I got a look at their wedding invitation and pulled design elements from it. First, the tandem bicycle seemed pretty important to me. They also had ribbons, hearts, and starts which I included along the bike path.

Next, there were birds, branches, and leaves on another part of their invitation that I tried to imitate. I liked how each set was their own theme and I was pretty pleased with how they turned out!

I received amazing thank you notes from Terra, Erin, and some of their colleagues in the department. Absolutely the most rewarding and the best part of every successful cupcake delivery!!!

Congratulations to Terra and Erin!

Decorating Cupcakes for EverythingMom

This took some time, but I think it was all worth it in the end. Through twitter DM and e-mail troubles, Carrie Anne was finally able to get in touch with me. I'm glad she did, because she had a fun idea for me! Carrie Anne Badov is Partner and Editor-in-Chief at EverythingMom, I actually know her from work because she is an avid reader and helps promote books and literacy. Long story short, she wanted to know if I would be interested in doing a Christmas/Holiday cupcake article. I said yes!

I spent the weekend brainstorming some simple, but fun ideas for families to make. I even went out and bought some holiday sprinkles. Trees, stars, snowflakes, and candy canes - all in miniature sugar form - perfect!

I took out some colourful cupcake liners (thank you Mike and Megan) and baked some old-fashioned chocolate cupcakes. Then took out the piping bag, my piping tips, and some candies.

Click here to see the cupcake creations on EverythingMom.com!

Wordless Wednesday: August 11, 2010

Mix and Mingle with Cupcakes this Holiday!

The Holiday season begins!