Yellow Wedding Cakes

Refreshing, bright and stylish, a yellow wedding cake will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Enjoy this little dose of sunshine... 

Sources: 

1. Ruffly rose garland ; 2. White cake with yellow roses ; 3. Yellow cake with flowers ;

4. Yellow cake with scallop icing ; 5. White & yellow pattern cake ; 6. White cake with yellow ribbon

Classic Purple Inspiration Board

Purple is a beautiful and very popular color for weddings. Hot red and cool blue combined to create this intriguing color. Purple is a deep jewel tone that imparts a royal confidence. Once thought as a color of royalty and nobility, purple accents work just as well in lavish affairs as it does in more relaxed settings. 

Sources (Clockwise starting from top left corner):

1. Invitations 

2. Couple 

3. Boutonniere 

4. Purple & Cream Living Room 

5. Cake 

6. Bouquet

Easter Cupcakes

Take a look at these cute cupcakes decorated for Easter. Adding bright colors, flowers, eggs, baskets, bunnies and chicks to your baked goods is a great way to celebrate the joy of Easter.

Sources: 

1. Peeps Cupcakes

2. Easter Cupcake Meadow

3. Easter Hat Cupcakes

4. Birds Nest Cupcakes

5. Fondant Easter Cupcake Toppers

Peaches & Cream Inspiration Board

Recently we have had some hints of spring weather (and some snow) in the northeast. Peach and cream conjure up images of spring flowers and the kind of weather we are all yearning for. This beautiful color palette is both romantic and timeless.   

Sources:
Row 1: bridal party, peach bouquet
Row 2: clutch, Chanel shoes, Karmann Ghia
Row 3: dessert table, cake   

Healthier Baking

Everyone loves a little sweet treat. I am not one who believes in cutting out all desserts just because you are watching your waistline. Cravings can be sheer torture and can quickly derail your efforts to maintain a healthy routine. In my opinion, nothing compares to homemade desserts. An advantage of making your own dessert is that you know all of the ingredients that you are consuming and there are no chemicals (artificial preservatives). A few substitutions can be made to your homemade desserts to make them lighter/healthier.

Oils:

Try using canola oil as a healthier oil. Applesauce can be used to replace oil in breads and cookies (it also replaces part of the sweetener due to its natural fructose).

Sugars:      

Granulated sugar and brown sugar are better for you than fake sugars. Instead of trying to substitute sugar, rather try to cut back on the amount of sugar called for in a recipe. Molasses, corn syrup, agave syrup and honey can also be used as sweeteners. Just be aware that each can add a different taste/texture to your recipe.

Milks:

Substitute whole milk with skim or 1% milk. Substitute heavy cream with light whipping cream. You can also use the same amount of plain fat free yogurt in place of buttermilk.

Eggs:

Egg substitutes can be an option, or you may want to try only using egg whites.

Peanut Butter:

Soy butter or sesame butter are healthier and more nutritious than peanut butter.    

Healthy additions to your dessert: flaxseed, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, wheat bran, oats nuts, dried fruit

Try out one of these lighter desserts: 

Sources & Recipes: 

1. Deep Dark Chocolate Biscotti

2. Carrot Cake with Toasted Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

3. Low-Fat Banana Bread

4. Double-Crusted Apple Pie

5. Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

6. Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal Cake

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!! Here are some festive green flowers from me to you to celebrate this joyous occasion.

source: flowers

I am looking forward to going to the St. Patty's parade in NYC today. Do you have any fun plans for today? If so, please share! In the meantime, take a look at these creative cake creations in honor of today:

Source: Shamrock Cake

Beautiful rainbow cake with a hidden shamrock inside!

Sources:
Green Red Velvet Cake Balls
Beer Mug Cupcakes

Source: St. Patrick's Day Cake

Love the wonderful shades of green inside this cake!

Authentic Irish Desserts

The following dessert recipes will bring you back to your Irish roots. These recipes are based on traditional Irish desserts. Although not well known, many typical Irish dessert ingredients include either: fresh or dried fruit (especially apples), lemon curd, whiskey, or sweet potato. Enjoy your culinary trip to Ireland! 

Sources & Recipes (horizontally from top left to bottom right): 

1. Three-Layer Berry & Brown Sugar Pavlova

2. Bittersweet Chocolate Irish Whiskey Cake

3. Lemon Curd Layer Cake

4. Irish Apple Cake

5. Chocolate Guinness Cake

6. Chocolate Whiskey Bundt Cake

Sources & Recipes (from left to right):

1. Country Rhubarb Cake

2. Bakewell Tart

3. Sweet Potato Pie

Sources & Recipes (from left to right):

1. Mrs. O'Callaghan's Soda Bread

2. Irish Ginger Snaps

3. Irish Scones

Green Cocktails

It's most fun to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a local Irish pub. However, while most are enjoying their beer (or green beer), I have never been much of a beer lover. Take a look at 6 exciting green cocktails that you can try with or without the alcohol. You are sure to find one that suits your tastes.

 

Sources & Recipes: 

1. Greentini

2. Kiwi Masquerade

3. The Clover 

4. Green Champagne 

5. Midori Lagoon

6. Green Dublin Apple Cocktail