BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

These are so cute and you can serve them at any event...birthday party, engagement party, bridal shower, wedding, you name it. So there really is no reason why you shouldn't try this recipe...none at all. :D

Doughnut batter:

• 2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• Seeds from one vanilla bean

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In large mixing bowl, sift together all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, vanilla seeds and butter and beat until just combined. Spray doughnut cavities with cooking spray or brush with butter.  Fill each donut cup approximately 1/2 full.

Bake 5-8 minutes or until the top of the donuts spring back when touched. Let cool in pan for 4–5 minutes before removing. Finish doughnuts with vanilla glaze. Doughnuts are best served fresh.

• 1 cup confectioner’ s sugar
• 1 tbsp. milk
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 drops of liquid blue food coloring
• White nonpareils

In small bowl, stir together sugar, milk and vanilla extract until sugar is completely dissolved. Add food coloring and stir until color is uniform.  Use immediately to glaze doughnuts.  Sprinkle on nonpareils.

Yield: 5-6 dozen baby donuts

I love the idea of having a beautiful Vegetable Buffet set up at your wedding reception. For one, it's budget friendly and provides so many options for vegetarians and health conscious guests.

Want a deliciously easy appetizer for your cocktail hour? How about these Parmesan Knots? With just six simple ingredients, you can create a yummy, crispy, cheesy bread that you can serve at any wedding event with pride.

Ingredients:

• 1 tube (12 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits ( I used Pillsbury Golden Layers Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (I did use the green can stuff)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

Directions:

1. Roll each biscuit into a 12-in. rope and tie into a knot; tuck ends under. Place 2 in. apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

2. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; brush the warm knots with the mixture.

Yield: 10 knots

Recipe courtesy of Real Mom Kitchen!

As soon as I saw this recipe here at TastyKitchen.com I thought it would be a great appetizer for any event that vegetarian and meat-eaters alike can enjoy, so I decided to share it with you.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Russet Potatoes, Peeled And Cut Into Chunks
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• ⅛ teaspoons Pepper
• 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Milk
• 1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 2 Tablespoons Minced Green Onions
• 2 whole Large Eggs, Lightly Beaten
• 3 cups Seasoned Panko Bread Crumbs (plus More If Needed)

Preparation Instructions

1. Add potatoes to a large pot of boiling water and cook until fork tender. This will take about 20 minutes. Drain off the water and add potatoes back to the pot. Then mash them together with the salt, pepper, butter and milk. Stir in parmesan and onions, then place the mixture in the fridge to cool for 15-20 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put the beaten egg into a shallow bowl. Put the bread crumbs into another shallow bowl.

3. Remove potatoes from fridge and roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Dip the balls in the beaten egg, then cover them in bread crumbs. Place on a baking sheet 1-2 inches apart. When done, and hit each with a quick spritz of olive oil or cooking spray.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until outside is crispy. Makes about 70 puffs.

Note: I know this sounds like a fabulous idea for leftover mashed potatoes, but I can’t say for sure that the potatoes will hold up. It depends on the actual mashed potatoes recipe that you use and how much butter is added.

For the DIY brides, these cupcake wrappers from Paper Scissors Cake are great for you because they are affordable but will also allow you to print and cut as many wrappers as your heart desires. I particularly love the designs, especially the vintage inspired ones that I added today because they are different and the toppers don't say "birthday party" like most do. You can add a few sugar flowers and you'll have très magnfique cupcakes at your next event.

This is my favorite apple pie recipe. I've been using it for a very long time and you just have to try it. After you've used it, tell me it's not one of the best apple pies you've ever made.

Ingredients

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste then add water, white sugar, brown sugar and bring to a boil.

2.  Add apples to the boiling mixture and stir. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 -5 minutes.

3. Place the bottom crust in your pan. Add the yummy, apple filling and cover with a lattice style crust.

4.  Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 30 to 40 minutes, until apples are soft.

I think using chalkboard labels is such a super cute idea and I've found some Chalkboard Sticker Labels that would be perfect for the glass jars you are using for your candy buffet.

10 Chalkboard Tag Sticker Labels, Antiqued Square 2" - $3.50




5 Chalkboard Tag Sticker Labels, Antique Square 3" - $2.75




5 Chalkboard Tag Sticker Labels, 4" Antique Rectangle  $3.06




5" Decorative Sign Chalkboard Tag Sticker Labels - $1.00 each




Liquid Chalk - $4.50




2 - 1 Gallon 19" Apothecary Beverage Servers each for $28



Set of 3 Apothecary Glass Jars - $29.99


photo credit: SurLaTable.com

Want delicious flavored popcorn for your wedding guests but save money too? Of course you do, it's what bronze budget brides do best. Well, I've found some flavored gourmet popcorn spice for you that you can toss with freshly popped buttered or plain popcorn to flavor. You can find beer; kettle corn; parmesan garlic; southwestern jalapeno; movie theater butter; sour cream & onion; dill pickle and chocolate caramel flavors for your popcorn at Cook Outside The Box on Etsy! You can mix the flavors and create a new flavor!

You can also simply sprinkle some chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, parmesan cheese and powdered cheese from a box of mac and cheese on your popcorn. It doesn't hurt to try and you can find these spices at Walmart for 50¢ each or at a dollar store for only $1.00.

However, if you want unique flavors, Cook Outside The Box is where you need to shop and you'll feel good knowing you've created snacks for your guests that are unlike anything else.

Brides, you can save 40% off on a package of six International Wines if you go right now to WineTasting.com/Clipper! You'll get four red and two white wines from some of the top brands around the world for the low introductory price of $49.99! These six wines together retail for $83.99 and you won't find them easily at your local liquor store.  Even if you do find them, you won't get them for this low price which includes shipping. So, if you want to give your guests a taste of some of the best wines in the world without bursting your budget, this is a great option for you.

Now that's a treat you'll reach for at a dessert buffet right and it's not very difficult to make. I found the recipe for these Raspberry Pinwheels here at Splash Of Something and posted it below for you!

Ingredients:

•  3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
•  1 8-ounce bar cream cheese
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam (Real Simple calls for seedless, but I’m partial to the seeds.)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons course sugar for sprinkling

Directions:

1. In mixer, beat butter, cream cheese and granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla, then reduce speed to low, and gradually add the flour. Blend until just incorporated.
2. Turn dough onto floured work surface, and kneed it two to three times to bring it together. Form dough into two 1-inch-thick squares, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for an hour.
3. On lightly floured parchment, roll one of the dough squares into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Spread half the jam over the dough. Cut dough into thirds to make three 9-by-4 rectangles. Starting at long side of each rectangle, roll into logs. Wrap each log in wax paper, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (until firm). Repeat with second dough square.
4. Once dough is firm, slice logs into 1-inch pieces and place on parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart. Brush with egg (careful not to let to use too much; goopy egg on cookie = no bueno), and sprinkle with course sugar.
5. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Let cool on baking sheet for about a minute, then cool completely on wire racks.