Thursday, June 23, 2011

S'mores Cupcakes!

Yes, you read the title correctly...I said s'mores cupcakes!
I seriously started to drool when I found this recipe. Sounds like the perfect way to transform one of my favorite all-american camping treats into an elegant treat that could be served at a wedding or bridal shower.
Happy Fourth of July! :)
S'mores Cupcakes
makes about 24 cupcakes
Recipe courtesy of keyingredient.com
For the graham cracker crust:
- 1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 5 and 1/3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
For the cake you can use box mix chocolate cake.
Follow directions on box to prepare mixture then set aside.
For the frosting:
- 8 large egg whites, at room temp
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
2) Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with fork. Drop about 1 tablespoon of mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner and press down to line the bottom.
3) Sprinkle a small amount of chopped chocolate on top of the graham cracker crusts. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
4) Prepare cake batter according to box directions.
5) Fill liners about 1/4 way full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, rotating pans halfway through cooking. Allow to cool 5-10 minutes then remove and transfer to a wire rack to completely cool.
6) To make frosting, combine the egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the top of a double boiler. Heat mixture, whisking frequently until it reaches 160 degrees with an instant-read thermometer.
7) Transfer mixture into bowl. Whisk starting out slowly then gradually increasing until stiff, glossy peaks form. Mix in vanilla until combined. Frost cupcakes as desired.
8) Brown with a kitchen torch. Garnish with Hersey chocolate.

Canvas Print Gift Idea!

Throughout the planning of your wedding, and of course the day of, you captured many wonderful moments onto photographs. You and your girls having a blast at your bachelorette party, scoping out the perfect venue, beautiful flowers... Now they just sit in a box, or maybe in a file on your computer.
Turn those beautiful moments into artwork by making your photos into canvas prints!
Here is canvas I created through www.EasyCanvasPrints.com. The process was so easy. And, as you can see, the finished product is beautiful.
Actual image
Try it yourself, and you'll see how easy it is to make your beautiful wedding memories pieces of art!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Green Fever: Wedding Style!

Does your man have "Green Lantern" fever??? Let him show off his obsession by having green as your wedding color! And don't worry about having a wedding that looks tacky or too bold. Here, I have provided inspiration for elegant green weddings.