BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

One of our amazing sponsors for our 2000 Fans Celebration - Week of Giveaways is Sweet Tooth Sweetie who hails from Etsy. I've featured the yummy Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookies from this fab Etsy shop a few times before because I think they are one of the most, absolutely perfect, sweet treats. Come on! It's Oreo cookies, covered in delicious chocolate...I know that sounds good to you too.



At Sweet Tooth Sweetie, you'll find way more than Chocolate Covered Oreos even though that's enough to lure anyone with a sweet tooth there, however, there is something for all your sweet cravings. If you want something minty, you can buy some Refreshing Mint Patty Chocolate Bark, which is a great combination of chocolate and mint.



If you want something that's salty and sweet, try the Chocolate Dipped Honey Wheat Pretzels that are covered in crushed peanuts. Mmmmm yum, yum, yummy.



If you are cheering for the Giants this Sunday or you're an all time fan, buy a dozen of these Giant's Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies to munch on while you watch the game. If you're having a party, buy a few dozen for your guests and make the celebration even sweeter.



Why stop there? Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so grab a box for all the sweet people in your life.

Oreo Cookies and Chocolate...Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies are simply the best of both worlds and lucky you will get the chance to win One Dozen from Sweet Tooth Sweetie during our 2000 Fans Celebration! So be here February 20-26th because this is just 12 reasons why you won't want to miss it!

Oh these Gumball Machines are so cute and afforable to make too. They would be such fun pieces on your candy buffet and they are also very easy to make.

What you'll need:

• 1 (one) 4" Terra Cotta Pot
• 2 (two) 4" Terra Cotta Saucers
• 1 (one) Bubble Bowl (Dollar Tree)
• 1 (one) Wooden Ball – 1 1/4″
• 1 (one) Tube E6000 Adhesive
• 1 (one) Spray Can Clear Gloss (Triple Thick - Rustoleum , your choice)
• Acrylic Paint

Directions:

1. Paint Both Terra Cotta pot, saucers and knob then let dry overnight..

2. Place Terra Cotta Pot upside down, apply E6000 to the bottom rim of the pot, apply Saucer and set to dry OVERNIGHT.

3. Add Wooden Ball to Saucer number 2, with the E6000 and allow to dry overnight as well.

4. Add lid to top of Bubble Bowl… and viola...Gumball Candy Dish!

 Find all the instructions accompanied by photos here at Wrap Candy!

This cake is so beautiful that I just had to post the recipe that I found right here on Sprinkles Bakers.

Maraschino Cake:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 2 tablespoons flour for sprinkling over diced cherries
• 10 oz bottle maraschino cherries, finely chopped
• Drop or two of red food coloring, or Americolor Deep Pink food coloring gel *optional
• 4 egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks

1. Preheat oven to 340 degrees.  Grease two 7” spring-form pans (or one 9”) and line with parchment paper.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer until creamy.   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking powder .  Combine milk,cherry juice and almond extract, and add alternately to the butter and sugar with the flour mixture.
3. In a small bowl, sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the diced cherries and stir until the flour has been completely absorbed.  Note: It’s okay if the cherries still have a little juice on them after this. 
4. Stir cherries into the batter.  Stir in food coloring if desired
5. Fold stiffly beaten egg whites into the batter.  Pour into prepared cake pans and bake for 50-60 minutes.   Remove from pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting:

• 5 egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 pound (4 sticks) butter, cubed, at room temperature
• 3 teaspoons clear vanilla extract

1. Set a saucepan filled one-third full of water over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer.
2. Whisk together the egg whites, sugar, and salt in a large heatproof bowl. Set over the simmering water and whisk until the mixture is hot to the touch and the sugar has dissolved.
3. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
4. Beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Increase to medium-high until stiff peaks are formed.
5. Continue beating at medium-high speed until the mixture is fluffy and has cooled (the mixing bowl should feel cool to the touch).
6. Turn the mixer off and switch from the whisk attachment to the paddle. Turn the mixer on medium-low and add the butter, a few cubes at a time, beating until well incorporated before the next addition.
7. Add the vanilla extract.  Divide batter and tint with food coloring, if desired.  I kept a little un-tinted frosting out to pipe around the edges of the cake. To achieve my favoriteblue/green tint, I used a dot each of Sky Blue and Kelly Green Wilton gel food colorings.
8. Beat until the frosting is thick and completely smooth.
9. Store in an airtight container until ready for use.

Serves 8-10      

Note: The heart topper is a piece of gum paste with a piece of clean, unused floral wire inserted through the center. The surface was brushed with corn syrup and dipped in multicolored sprinkles.

When I first saw these flowers, I had no idea that they were made of paper. They look so realistic and for a bride any budget, this could be the ticket to having lots of flowers at her wedding, that looks elegant, but cost less than 30¢ each. Of course there is some labor involved but good things come from hard work and it's not as much as I thought it would be.

What you'll need:

• (5) 3" Coffee Filters
• (5) 3 ¼ Coffee Filters
• Floral Wire
• Floral Tape
• Scissors
• Glue (glue gun works too)

For the instructions on how to make them you will have to go here to Michella Marie but be sure to let me know if you make some of these beautiful Peonies. 

This is a tutorial that I know DIY brides would love especially if they are planning an outdoor, garden, rustic wedding. They look easier to make than I thought they would be after reading the instructions here at Small Chic Home.



This is how they look close-up. You can make small numbers for your wedding tables, you can make a large Monogram for your head table...let your imagination go wild and you'll find an amazing use for them in your wedding.

I didn't know until today that it's as easy as pie to make vanilla extract. How didn't I know that? Thank God I know now because they would make great gifts for friends and family, especially my mom-in-law who loves to bake. They would be great to give as wedding favors too which is why I am posting the recipe.

To make Homemade Vanilla Extract, you'll need:

• Vanilla beans
• Vodka
• Bottles

Directions:

1. Split the vanilla beans, leaving one end intact.

2. Place in bottles.

3. Top with Vodka.  A good ratio is 1 vanilla bean per 1/3 cup of vodka.

4. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 6 weeks before using.  The longer it sits, the darker the extract will become.

Find this recipe with more photos here at Bake At 350.

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