SAVOR | Chamomile + Honey Desserts

 

Chamomile and Honey Buttermilk Scones

photo + recipe |  caldrea

 

 

There are flavor combinations that just work beautifully...peanut butter and jelly, cinnamon and sugar, strawberries and cream.  Today's post is shining the spotlight on one combination that's a little bit under the radar when it comes to desserts and that's Chamomile and Honey.  This pairing is fragrant, calming and not to forget delicious. 

 

 

savor | gingerbread cakes

Move over vanilla...this season's flavor is all about gingerbread. I fell in love with the sweet little cake featured in Monday's  inspiration board. Here are a few more gingerbread cakes for you to consider for your next event. 

photo |  the cake merchant

 

photo |  sainsbury's magazine

 

 

 photo |  supergolden bakes

 

 

photo |  call me cupcake

 

photo |  oatgasm

 

 photo |  erin made this

  

{good eats} unfrosted wedding cakes

Back in 2010, I first posted this tasty "naked cake" and I'm blown away by how unfrosted wedding cakes are becoming one of 2013 biggest trends.  Regardless if they are adorned with fruit or flowers these cakes will sure make everyone excited for the dessert course. 

photos | {tyler branch photo} {kelly braman photography} {michelle march photography} {jodi miller photography} {marion heurteboust photography} {daniel cruz photography} {christine chang photography} {sarah kate photo} {alixann loosle photography} 

{good eats} taco bar

 

Can someone please invite me to a wedding where there's a taco bar!! How fabulous is this idea.  What a great way to have your guests personalize their meal and not to mention its a pretty afford option of couples who want to save a few bucks too...let's not forget a taco bar also makes for a pretty cool midnight snack to fuel all the party animals that are dancing the night away.  

 

photos | ryan bernal photography

{good eats} pies

 

{megan w} 

{katie stoops} {tara guegard}

 I'm craving some good ol' fashion pie. Who's with me? You know the ones with the nice flaky crust and gooey filling...yeah those! And there is nothing I heart more than to see make an appearance in autumn weddings {or on my Thanksgiving table}. Perfectly presented in tiers or simply tied with bakers twine for the perfect take home snack for guests. 

What's your favorite pie flavor?  Will you be serving pie at your wedding?

{good eats} bundt cakes

This is another great example on how couple's are thinking outside the box when it comes to their wedding cake.  Skip all the fondant and buttercream and go for a bundt cake instead.  These cakes come in different designs and are simply beautiful with just a light drizzle of glaze or dusting of powder sugar. Either way they can be stacked on a pretty tower or sitting on a simple cake plate making for one gorgeous and unexpected wedding cake alternative. 

{martha stewart wedding} {our labor of love}

{steep street}

{ali degraff photography}

 

{friday faves} ice cream sandwiches

Happy Friday friends!! 

I love it when all it takes to create a post is ONE photo. I was browsing through Pinterest the other day and came across a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich photo and fell in love. It's sad but true!  Can anything be better than creamy ice cream sandwiched between two equally delicious cookies? There are so many ice cream/cookie combinations that it's mind boggling but have no fear I rallied up a few of my faves that you can package up in pretty glassine bags and serve to your guests at your next big event.   

Warning: The following photos will make your mouth water. There is a good chance you will abandon your work to run out and eat one of these delicious summer time treats.  Don't say I didn't warn you. 

1  2

34.

5

67

89

 1. {vanilla bean chocolate ice cream sandwiches via tartelette}  

2. {“baklava” ice cream sandwiches via souvlaki for the soul}  

3. {ice cream sandwich via the kitchn}

4. {raspberry ice cream sandwich via wolf & willow}  

5. {skinny cow ice cream sandwich via creature comforts} 

6. - 9. {brownie-and-peanut-butter ice cream sandwiches, coconut and almond ice cream sandwiches, ginger cookie-sorbet sandwiches , mini chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches via martha stewart}

{good eats} in a jar

This has to be my favorite post for {Picnic Week} and yes it's about food!!!  

Of course I love desserts in a jar but I'm also loving  bbq, chili or salad in a jar too! Isn't this such a great idea for picnics? 

Would your jar be filled with something sweet or savory?

double chocolate mouse trifle in a jar {gabriel ryan photography via my sweet & saucy} 

cupcake in a jar {cakies}   bbq & chili in a jar {giver's blog}   salad in a jar {donna hay}

corn salad in a jar {the kitchn}

{friday faves} autumn flavors

happy friday!!

this has to be my ultimate fave - autumn flavors! 

pumpkin, apples & spices such as cinnamon and ginger make my stomach heart flutter. every year for thanksgiving, i bake regular ol' pumpkin bread {don't get me wrong, pumpkin bread is still delicious} but i wanted something different this year so i went on a hunt and gathered up and printed a few of my favorite recipes. can you imagine a dessert buffet with all these pretties? ...oh my waist! bon appetit! 

1. pumpkin whoopie pies | 2. mini pumpkin pies | 3. pumpkin semifreddo | 4. pumpkin seed brittle 

1. cinnamon sugar biscotti | 2. gingerbread cheesecake | 3. molasses drops | 4. cinnamon ice cream

1. roasted apples | 2. caramel apples | 3. apple donuts | 4. apple galette

{good eats} apple butter cake

did you spot that pretty cake in yesterday's post?

 well, andrea is not only a talented photographer but she also baked the cake seen in the shoot and was kind enough to share the recipe with us. 

{apple butter cake}

2/3 cup butter
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups sifted cake flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk

cream butter. add sugar gradually, creaming till light. add eggs and vanilla and beat till fluffy. sift dry ingredients together; add to creamed mixture alternating with milk, beating after each addition. beat 1 minute. bake in 2 greased and lightly floured round pans at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. let cakes cool completely. 

*she doubled better homes & garden traditional yellow cake recipe

andrea used some farmer's market apple butter between the layers & topped it off with a light dusting of powdered sugar. 

you can't forget about the cake bunting ~ andrea used fabric remnants, string and two bamboo skewers. 

{good eats} mini bundt

{project wedding} {martha stewart weddings}

i love mini version of things - like i wrote about {here} and {here}. i'm totally smitten with the packaging of these mini bundt cakes that can be used as favors. box them up with pretty ribbon and tag or simply wrap them in cheese cloth. very cute!

{good eats} scottie dog shortbread cookies

these scottie dog shortbread cookies would make a great favor for our {#29} winters in scotland inspiration board.

{ingredients}
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
12 to 16 twelve-inch lengths of 3/8-inch plaid ribbon, for collar (optional)

{directions}
line two rimmed baking sheets with silpats or parchment paper. sift together flour and salt in a small bowl; set aside. in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. add confectioners' sugar, and continue to beat until very light in color and fluffy, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, about 2 minutes more. add vanilla, and beat to combine. add flour mixture, and combine on low speed, scraping with spatula if necessary, until flour is just incorporated and dough sticks together when squeezed with fingers.
remove half of the dough from bowl. form dough into a flat disc, and wrap it in plastic. add cocoa to remaining dough, mix until well combined, and form into a flat disc; wrap in plastic. chill both discs until firm, at least 1 hour.
preheat oven to 325 degrees. roll out one disc to a 1/4-inch thickness. cut out shapes using a scottie dog shaped cookie cutter, and place on prepared baking sheets. scraps can be gathered together and re-rolled once. repeat with remaining disc. bake until firm and just starting to color, 13 to 15 minutes. cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. tie a length of ribbon around the neck of each dog to form a collar, if desired. cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 weeks.

{makes 12 to 16}

{martha stewart}

{trends} popcorn bar

loving the popcorn bar from {utterly engaged} . who knew popcorn could be so glamorous and sophisticated. have plain air popped popcorn and allow your guests to flavor it with sweet toppings like chocolate or caramel or go savory with garlic salt or parmesan cheese.