Sugar Buzz Continues!

It has been a few days since I have posted, but not due to anything going wrong. To the contrary, I have been so busy with my confections that I will be working the rest of the week filling orders for goodies. I am hoping this continues after Easter Bunny Season and Mother's Day, because this makes my heart smile.

The Lemon Cookies are the latest hit and I have to admit, I am having a hard time staying out of them myself. I can make ganache from memory (simple, I know) and find myself trying to dream up new ways to make these little bites of heaven and calories more delicious and fresh. My new ones are going to hit the sample market (my amazing and honest friends) and hopefully make it to everyone else. I will post photos of it all as the week goes on, so stay tuned and keep checking in! I love having you with me on my journey in sugar!!

Cheese Wafers

Truffles, Toffee, and Cheese

Happy Saturday! It has been a beautifully exhausting week, full of chocolate, nuts, truffles and cheese. I have actually landed my first dessert catering job. It is small, but I am excited about it. The job is for a group of 20 and I am providing a small truffle tray, with an assortment of cherry, peanut butter, and pretzel truffles, my toffee, and my cheese wafers. I find myself dreaming up new ways to create and share, package and sell, market and present, the decadent treats.

This is one of the things I have always wanted to do, and no matter how short lived it might turn out to be, I am going to enjoy it completely while it is happening. I hope it continues to happen for a very long time, because I am having a blast! Like those of you who love to create in the kitchen as I do, every little pinch of seasoning, every stir of the spoon and the "whir" of the KitchenAid mixer, makes me smile as I watch simple ingredients transform into something that brings a smile to someone's face and joy to my heart. How cool is that anyway? Wish me luck! Thanks for following me on this journey! It is nice to have your company! And to those of you who have offered you graphic design talents (Sue W.), and those who are helping spread the word and samples of my treats, You Rock!

Happy Spring Fondant Cake!

Well, this weekend, I spent almost the entire time up to my elbows in sugar, cornstarch and food coloring gel. And I loved every minute of it! Since I keep mentioning being "up to my elbows", I should tell you that I am not exaggerating (much). I keep a clean dish towel on my shoulder, one by the sink and one on the table, as well as washing my hands as many times as  medical professional would in so many hours. I wash 2 aprons, at least, each day. It's cool. I like it!

This is a photo of my first attempt at a fondant covered cake, complete with my own little fondant Spring and Easter decorations. I know might seem somewhat simplistic to some of you who have been doing this kind of thing for a while, but I am tickled!!  Now it is time for me to expand into more intricate decorations and see if I can make a go of this! Can anyone say Petit Fours? Wish me luck and Please send any suggestions you might have! I welcome any and all! And as far as buying fondant from a supplier? Nah! My marshmallow fondant is yummy and fun to make. I need to find a new job and a new path. This one makes my heart smile. So between looking online for opportunities and waiting to hear from Purina, I know I have found a way to finally do something I enjoy! And the perk of being able to be home with my pets while "working" is something I would love to do all the time!

If this cake looks yummy, or you would like to know how I made my fondant, I would be happy to share my recipe. Just give me a shout!

I have orders for my candy and am hoping for more. This confection gig is a blast! Let me know if you have a sweet tooth! I can help!

Have a terrific Monday!

Adventures in Fondant

It has been a few days since I have posted, but wanted to let you know what has been happening in Muffin's house. I am not one to just dabble in something when I want to learn a new trick or talent, and this week has been no exception. I decided in my quest to cook for both business and pleasure, that I would explore the world of fondant. My toffee is terrific and my truffles are known to add 3 pounds just by looking at them, but I wanted to try something new. I decided on Fondant. And that is where I have been this week. Happily elbow deep in sugar, marshmallows, corn syrup and lovely, sticky confections. I am having a blast and have gone through enough sugar and chocolate in the past 5 days to fill 20 Easter baskets. Fortunately, the Up side for me when baking is that once I am satisfied with how my recipe tastes, I am happy to stop nibbling and just keep playing.

The first fondant I made was a cream based one so I could practice with candy. To play with the concoction by stirring, making figure eights while mixing it and then kneading, made me smile. Some might call me a nerd, but I am cool with that. I am a Happy Cooking Nerd. I have made scrumptious vanilla cream and chocolate cream candies and once I get the "pretty part" down pat, I will be satisfied.

This is the "before":

Cream Fondant

This is the "after":

Vanilla creme fondant and chocolate creme fondant candies.

I have to admit they taste really good and it was fun! Then I decided I had to try marshmallow fondant so I can make a cake and try to make it beautiful this weekend. I kept hearing about how so many "store bought" fondants tasted bland. I have to say that this is one is delicious and was So easy!

Homemade Marshmallow Fondant

Isn't it pretty? It is like being able to make your own play dough and then eat it with out being put in time out! How cool is that?

Some of the other things I have put together are toffee truffles and Easter Eggs.

Fudge Peanut Butter Eggs

 Can you tell I am having fun? I am delivering some of these to friends tomorrow and maybe someone will want some custom Easter Baskets or just a decedent treat to keep for themselves. Either way, I still get to play! Let me know what you think and if I can share some sweet indulgences with you!