Sunday, March 29, 2009

Monday Morning Prep

After a wonderfully enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the pool with a new beverage concoction that I will sooo have to educate you all about later, I am ready to bake something for my Monday blues tomorrow...
With the buttermilk leftover from those lovely red velvet delights, I start up some Buttermilk Biscuits with my own additions of some candied walnuts and dried cranberries with the intention to drench the things with butter and syrup, once they are browned up, to soak up my weekend fun before another week of work!
~
Mixing up the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder & baking soda:
Chopping up 1/2 cup cold butter:

Adding the candied walnuts & cranberries,
Stirring in the Buttermilk..
The pre-baked beauties:

Even more exciting, there is a website called biscuitpower.com (new fan--- highlights the recipe I used)!
~
With the butter & syrup (my preview to breakfast tomorrow):
~

DQ, it's not QUITE a breakfast feast, but it will have to do for now!
dd
This should shake my Monday blues away....let's make the week go faaaaassssssst my dears!
~
XOXO,
Tipsy

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Instant Party

Just a quick night of the classic pairing of Chardonnay and cookie dough! I think EVERYONE needs to try this combo!



I made my never failing chocolate chip cookies, but with some colorful sprinkles to make them festive for a friend at work who is having a birthday tomorrow!

~

There is just something about sprinkles that makes anything feel like a party!
~

~


~


~


~


~
Happy FRIDAY tomorrow! :)


xoxo,

Tipsy

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Champagne Dreams

So, just in case you dont know me, I make sure that my birthday celebration lasts for at least the full month of March! I am lucky enough to have a dear friend who is also a Pisces! What better to do then celebrate in San Diego, ocean in view, with something just as delightfully sweet/bubbly/delicious as we are!

The best thing about this recipe is that you will have an excuse to buy champagne and have about a half bottle left even after you have made the yummy frosting and cake!!! It is also super easy to make, perfect for a birthday girl who is already a bit tired from the previous celebration(s)!

http://www.recipezaar.com/Pink-Chagne-Cake-153192

The Fizzy Goodness…I think I need to invent a champagne cake batter cocktail!



Completed Pink Champagne cake batter ready for baking..


Baked and with the yummy frosting ...



I had some fondant leftover from Alyssa's roses and decided to make some funkier buds for this cake:


More leaves…



Lot’s of fun roses & buds…



Mixing up the pretty paint cocktails...and maybe just one for me on the side!








The Final Tipsy Treat, so yummy!!



This cake is extra special!! Best enjoyed with friends and more champagne of course!
Happy birthdays!!
xoxo,
Tipsy b-day girl

Sunday, March 15, 2009

A + J= <3

My oh-so-sweet cousin Alyssa is getting married in June, and I couldn't be more excited for her and her fiance Jay! In anticipation of the wedding festivities, we threw her a shower, and I just had to try something new for this special occasion!

I got myself into quite a process, which involved a few various beverages to get me through, but the end result definitely made it worth it!

I made fondant for the first time! I found a great recipe here: http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm!

The fondant requires some muscle, so I saved the champagne for when it was done... and to brave the clean up as well. Trying to wash melted Marshmallows off bowls and spoons is impossible!

The next step, after refrigerating the fondant overnight, is to roll half tablespoon balls from the fondant, and then roll one side out to make individual petals.

Next, I rolled a center, then added petals, and then shaped each one to make them different so they look more realistic. I also rolled and cut some leaves, and added texture with a bristle brush.






For this process I enjoyed/needed that champagne! It complemented the sweet smell of the fondant and relaxed my shoulders that were still tense from all the kneading the night before.

The third stage is the painting which actually requires vodka! So, I am sure you know what I was sneaking into my soda water for extra inspiration. I mixed the vodka with food coloring to make the color dry faster without making the fondant soft and painted all the leaves and roses in red and green. (I let them dry overnight afterward so that they wouldn't bleed into the frosting)


I got a bit more creative for the topper:


The next day I made my favorite Red Velvet Cake Recipe. I found the recipe here, after trying a few others-this is the best by far!!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Red-Velvet-Cake-IV/Detail.aspx






Once the cupcakes cooled, I whipped up yummy white chocolate cream cheese frosting with a hint of ski blue, filled up my piping bag and got to work!



Here is the FINALLY finished product on the cupcake tree:








The completed topper:


The beautiful blushing bride!


Cheers Alyssa & Jay! Love you!

xoxo,
Tipsy