Dessert

I find that no matter what I eat for dinner, I always have room for dessert. This banana caramel loaf is perfect to serve after a tasty meal. Do you ever make a special dessert for you and your fiance/husband? What's your favorite?

Ingredients:

Williams Sonoma Banana Caramel Mix

1 stick of butter

1 cup of water

2 eggs

Directions:

Combine mix, melted butter, water, and beaten eggs into a bowl and mix until all is combined and there are no lumps.

Pour mix into loaf pan, which has been greased and lightly floured.

Pop in the oven for 50-60 minutes

Now for the Rum Glaze. Simply combine:

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 tbs of milk

1 tbs dark rum

1 tsp vanilla extract

Whip together until smooth

The Three D's Of Holiday Eating

I was reading through Glamour.com (as per usual) and came across this spot on article about the 3 D's of holiday eating. Dips, Drinks, and Desserts. If your looking to keep to your bridal diet during the holidays, here are some the healthier choices that are still delicious! 

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Pomegranate Martini

Apple Rhubarb Crisp

Don't forget to read here on what to stay away from this holiday season!

Christmas Eve Goodies

As I was searching for something yummy to bake and bring with me on Christmas Eve to Ryan's family party, I came across this amazing recipe for cappuccino brownies. I brought a nice bottle of wine dressed up in a cute Pottery Barn carrying case last year, and I figured something sweet was the way to go this year! 

What tasty desserts are baking for Christmas Eve this year?

Salted Caramel Cheesecake, Thanksgiving Dessert

If you don't follow Joy the Baker, you should start. She posts some of the most mouth watering recipes I have ever seen. Take for example, this Salted Caramel Cheesecake recipe. It's all my favorite things in one amazingly tasty dessert. Bring this to Thanksgiving and I'm pretty sure you'd be everyone's new best friend. 

Your end result?

Deliciousness. Find the full recipe here!

Thanksgiving Pie

{photo via pottery barn}

I am a sucker for pies (particularly ones covered in fresh whip cream).  But I am currently perfecting a pumpkin pie, since Ryan apparently lives for it. What kind of sweets have you learned to bake for your fiance or husband? 

Real vs Sugar

Sugar?

Or real?

I prefer real flowers on cakes. The difference in appearance is substantial. Even though the sugar flowers still look lovely, I am a real flower kind of girl!

{all photos via style me pretty}

Cake Favorites

I love cake. I mean- I love sweets in general, but I have a soft spot for cake. How perfect does this cake look? As you can tell- these are my most favorite colors! The yellows and pink are such a nice compliment to each other.

Have your cake...

...and eat it too!! The colors of this cake are my all time favorite. How creative?

{photo via kiss the groom}

Baked by Melissa

So I'm on a sweets kick today. A few weeks back I was in the city and made sure that I made a stop at Baked by Melissa, a bakery that sells quarter (yes, quarter) sized cupcakes. And they are AMAZING! They are the perfect touch to any dessert table!

Holiday Sweets

Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of my favorites. I can resist when they come right out of the oven and make your entire house smell delicious. They are always on the table at my house when we entertain!

In light of the holiday season, and with my sister being in sunny California this Christmas, I decided to be the good sister that I am and send her a care package. I made (or at least attempted!) to make cookies for her so that she could have them on Christmas since she wouldn't be able to be home with my family. Mel- this is just proof that it actually happened! =)

I used the Toll House Cookie Recipe (minus the nuts)

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Bite-sized pumpkin pies

Entertaining the kiddies this Thanksgiving? Be sure make them these superb bite sized pumpkin pies! Aren't they adorable!? I love them!! Found this on What life is made of... -but created by One Charming Party. Just perfect.

Martha Stewart Bridal Market Party 2010, Part 1

I cannot even begin to explain what a wonderful time I had at the Martha Stewart Bridal Market Party last night! From the second I walked in the door I knew that this was going to be an experience.  As soon as you stepped off the elevator, Elan Artists was playing and they completely set the mood for the entire evening. Then as I rounded the corner, I spotted Sylvia Weinstock. I have always read so much about her and recently caught her on an episode of Bravo's Just Desserts. I wanted to run right up to her (along with Martha herself, Darcy Miller, Lara Casey, Randy Fenoli, Mark Ingram.. you get the picture!)  and introduce myself. But I tried to contain myself. =)

Elan Artists

Then you walked into a sparkly heaven. There was glitter everywhere! The chandelier was amazing. The dim room light reflected off it perfectly.

My first table stop was over to Tribeca Treats and Bella Cupcake Couture. Their desserts were to die for! I was able to meet Rachel Schifter, the author of Sweet Chic and owner of Tribeca Treats. She was so sweet! I can't wait to buy the book!

Then there were pipecleaner rings. I had seen these on the blogs of those who attended Martha Stewart's 15th Anniversary Party and was so excited that she was there again! How cleaver are these rings!?

Waiters walked around with scrumptious drinks and bite size h'ordeuvres that were to die for. The presentation was truly amazing!

Ah. Lavender Sachets by The Wedding Library. This table smelled phenomenal. There is something about lavender that just puts my heart at ease!

Smilebooth was there!! Lindsey (my date for the evening!) and I were so excited. It was also nice because Ashley, my June bride and her fiance Keith are itching to have them at their wedding! It was nice to have a test run. Also because I feel like I am the only person who has never been to an event where they have been! Got Cake?

This yummy dessert table by Sandals had all my favorites. And I am just a sucker for a white candy table.

Then there was the calligraphy of Neither Snow. Mara was so kind and her work is stunning. Lindsey and I had to make multiple trips to her table because she was always so crowded!

There were so many great things that I just could not capture with my camera quick enough. Part 2 will take you through the tour of Martha's office's that we were given right before we left. Stay tuned!

Fall Cookies

I found this delicious recipe on The Kitchn and just needed to share!!

Cranberry Honey Drop Cookies

Adapted from The Household Searchlight Cookbook, 1931-1946

Makes about 24 cookies

1 cup dried cranberries

3/4 cup honey

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 egg, beaten

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 3/4 + 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon table salt

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Put the cranberries in a small bowl and cover them with very hot or boiling water. Let them sit and plump while you prepare the rest of the dough.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the honey and the softened butter. Mix in the egg and the spices. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cup of the flour, the baking soda, and the salt. Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until no more flour is visible.

Drain the cranberries. In the bowl used for the dry ingredients, toss the cranberries with 1/4 cup of flour. Fold the cranberries into the cookie dough. The dough will be fairly wet and very smooth.

Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto a cookie sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread a little during baking. Bake 9-13 minutes, until the edges are turning golden. let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

And of course, everything is better with chocolate. If desired, melt a handful of dark chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled cookies.

Decisions, Decisions!

Here at EAE we are brainstorming some fabulous ideas for our June couple Ashley and Keith. All I could think about today was which bakeries we are going to visit in NYC for an added treat for the guests. Which one looks best to you? Click on each logo to check it out!

Red Velvet Recipe

Since I have been introduced to Bloglovin', I've been obsessed. I love reading blogs, and have found so many that I can relate to and have been inspired by. One being Lua Los Angeles. She has some seriously delicious recipes and I need to share her Red Velvet Post!!

Red Velvet Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

For Each Cake Layer:

1 1/4 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 T cocoa powder

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 egg

1 T red food coloring

1/2 tsp white vinegar

1 tsp vanilla

Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa power. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, egg, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla. While mixing at medium speed, gradually add dry mixture to wet mixture until just combined. Fill 8/9 inch cake pan. Back at 350 for 30-35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting

8 oz cream cheese

1 stick butter, room temp.

4 cups confectioners sugar

6 T coconut rum

Mix together ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Ice cake once cooled after at least 40 minutes.

Dessert Trucks!

Ok, so I have to admit- this post started as "Food Trucks". But as I kept on looking and looking I realized that all the ones I was loving and adding to the post were.. Dessert Trucks. Guess that shows ya something! =) But I mean c'mon, how great are these things?! We don't see too many of them here in NJ, but they are everywhere in NYC! If you are looking for a way to create an event to remember, bring one of these to your party!

Cupcake Stop

Not only do they have Menu's coordinating with the seasons, but they have nearly 50 different cupcake year round!! They have several store and truck locations, making it super convenient (for you NYC folks) to access. Make sure to stop by!

Street Sweets

This truck has just about anything you could want! AND- it contains all natural ingredients. Which also means that you can eat anything you want and not feel like a whale (or at least that is what I tell myself!). Their menu consists of yummy Drinks, savory Croissants and Quiches, Muffins, Cupcakes, Cookies, and more. YUM!
Big Gay Ice Cream Truck

Who doesn't LOVE ice cream in the summer time? (don't get me wrong, I love it in the fall, winter and spring as well) I have totally fallen in love with the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck... and their Bea Arthur and Salty Pimp Cones. Enough said. Go check it out.