BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

Get Off Your Butt and Bake...I love the name of the website where I found this fabulous recipe because it made me want to just that...get off my butt and bake. I want to try this Puff Pastry Berry Pinwheels recipe because they look so good yet very easy to make.
Ingredients:

I think these Lace Paper Doily Cones are so elegant and can used as a cover for plastic filled, cone-shaped treat bags to give as favors or add some confetti for your guest to throw as you leave your ceremony!

You will need:

• - paper doilies
• - silicon glue
• - scissors
• - wmood buttons (I got mine from Wooden Treasures)
• - thin twine
• - manilla tags (I got these from Olive Manna)
• - black calligraphy marker
• - clear tape
• - thread
• - needle
• - confetti or rose petals

Instructions:

1. Wrap doilies to make cones.
2. Use silicon glue to seal the deal.
3. Have a blast decorating your cones
4. Fill cones with confetti or treats.

 Find all the intructions with even more photos at Heart Made!

photo credit: Something Green

Yeah, our 2000 Fans Celebration - Week of Giveaways is finally here and I thought I'd start the giveaways with something sweet. So, first up for grabs are One Dozen Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies of your choice from Sweet Tooth Sweetie and entering to is easy.



To Enter To Win:

Visit Sweet Tooth Sweetie on Etsy, browse the selection of sweet treats and return here to leave a comment telling me which Chocolate Covered Oreos Cookies you would choose if you were to win this prize.

That's it!!

This giveaway will only be featured today but you have until 11:59 p.m. on February 26th to enter!

Good luck everyone.

Make sure to be back here tomorrow to enter to win another great prize. :)

Valentine's Day is tomorrow and for those who want to make a homemade treats for their family, have a look at this recipe for Valentine Cake Truffles! Of course, they would also be great for a dessert buffet or as wedding favors.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 large eggs

1 and 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:

One 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup raspberry preserves**Use whatever you have on hand. Cherry would be awesome!

For the candy coating:

Two 12-ounce bags red candy melts (I use Wilton brand)

Instructions:

1. For the cake:  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. Generously butter a 9×13-inch cake pan with butter.  Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, and salt; set aside.

4.  In a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, combine the chocolate chips and butter and melt, stirring frequently, until smooth. Let cool slightly.

5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla.

6. Very slowly and carefully, whisk the melted chocolate into the egg mixture until smooth.

7. In a 2-cup measuring cup (the liquid will bubble up), combine the buttermilk and the baking soda.

8.  Whisk the buttermilk/baking soda into the chocolate mixture until  combined.

9.  Next, whisk the buttermilk/chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth and no lumps remain.

10. Evenly pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes.  Let cool at least 1 hour.

11. For the frosting: In the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine all of the ingredients, mixing until smooth.  Set aside.

12.  For assembly: In a large bowl, break apart the sheet cake using a large spoon and mixing until it is completely in crumbs.

13.  Add the frosting, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing with a large spoon until a thick paste forms.  **You may not use all of the frosting.

14. At this point, I find it helpful to chill the “cake dough” for at least an hour, so that it firms up a bit.

15. Once the cake dough is firm, transfer it to a clean and flat surface, and using a rolling pin, roll the dough into an even 3/4-inch thick layer.

16. Using your desired cookie cutter (I used a small, 1.5-inch heart shape), carefully cut out your desired shapes, rerolling and recutting the dough out as necessary and place them on a cookie sheet.

17. Let the cake bites chill in the fridge until you are ready to dip them.

18. In a large heatproof bowl over a bowl of simmering water, melt the candy melts until smooth.  (I am quickly learning that it is best to do this in batches to keep your candy coating smooth and avoid it from seizing.)

19.  Very carefully, dip each cake bite into the candy melt, and slowly coat it thoroughly.  (*I like using a small spoon for this.)

20. Place each dipped cake bite onto a cookie sheet, decorate with sprinkles, and chill until ready to serve.

Servings:  About 24 cake truffles

courtesy of The Curvy Carrot

Chocolate Meringue Kisses are chocolatey, they are bite size and they are cute...need I say more.

I found this recipe here at A Taste of Koko and I'm so glad I did. Try it and you'll be too.

Ingredients:

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• pinch cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsweetened dutch processed cocoa

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 175F
• Prep a pastry bag with a large star tip and line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.
• Combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tarter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. You can omit the cream of tartar if using a copper bowl.
• Whisk constantly over the water until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is warm to the touch. Around 3-4 minutes.
• Then remove from heat and beat the whites with a hand mixer or stand mixer, starting on low speed and gradually increasing until stiff, glossy peaks form.
• Add vanilla and mix to combine.
• Sift cocoa over the meringue and fold until no streaks remain.
• Add mixture to your pastry bag and pipe rows of quarter sized meringues onto the pans.
• Bake for 2 hours, until they lift from the pan easily. Allow to cool completely.
• Enjoy as is or melt a little chocolate and make meringue sandwiches :)

A picture is worth a 1000 words and just looking at these Spiced Apple Braided Cream Cheese Danish it's easy to tell that they will be a guest favorite. These Danishes will be a great addition to a dessert table but using them as shower or wedding favors would be such a great idea! You can find the recipe here at Annie's Eats which is a really great food blog and if you make these Danishes please remember to tell us about it by posting a comment below!

The flame of a candle symbolizes romance and it's hard to find someone who doesn't appreciate the warm embrace. However, not only does it spark the fire of love but it is a standard at elegant events because they create an atmosphere that only candle-light could.



Candles are also luxurious and their subtle glow warms the heart. What better way to share the joy of your special day than with a practical keepsake that will create the same delightful ambiance from your wedding. A wonderful way to do that is by giving your guests one of these elegant candle wedding favors. They can be purchased at many wedding sites online, but I've found that they have an especially wonderful selection at AmericanBridal.com. These make the perfect gift whether you are planning a backyard wedding, a formal affair or a quiet wedding at the beach!

Add a candle to a "Spring Votive Holder" and you have the perfect decor for your Spring Wedding. If you are planning a beach-side event, the "Sea Shell Gel Candle Favors" are so beautiful your guests can't help but to love them.

Candle wedding favors are available to match any wedding theme. If you are planning an Indian Wedding, you can add a candle to this "Lucky Elephant Tea Light Holder" with the gorgeous antique, ivory finish for your wedding guests. People of India believe that Elephants are lucky creatures, especially those with raise trucks! Some believe that stroking the trunk will bring success in business or will keep them safe while traveling so they are placed on shelves or by doorways in their homes for luck and longevity. So not only would the "Lucky Elephant Tea Light Holder" from American Bridal make a beautiful, symbolic parting gift, but if you personalize them, they will be much more special!



Even if you are an Offbeat Bride you can find favors as unique as your special day at AmericanBridal.com. These "Scented Pine Cone" Candles, "Dessert Rose Cactus" Candles and "Apple of My Eye" Candles will make unexpected surprises your guests will adore.



Don't forget! When you are looking for favors for your wedding, candle wedding favors are not only practical but are a meaningful choice as well!

Edible favors are always a hit at a wedding and I love that with this cheesecake guests can eat a little at your reception but take home what's left to enjoy the next day. I can't imagine that there will be any left behind if you choose to make these as wedding favors especially since you can give guests the option of adding their own toppings...the way you would with an Ice Cream Sundae Bar!

Cheesecake in a Jar is such a fabulous favor option especially for an outdoor, Summer wedding and here's how to make them!

Ingredients:

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
zest of one lemon
2 packages cream cheese, 8 oz each; room temperature
2 large eggs; room temperature
¼ cup heavy cream
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Begin to boil a large pot of water for the water bath.

3. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with your paddle attachment, combine the sugar and lemon zest and mix until the sugar is moistened and fragrant. Add in the cream cheese and cream together until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Make sure to scrape down the bowl in between each egg. Add heavy cream and vanilla and mix until smooth.

4. Pour batter into canning jars until about ¾ of the way full. Place jars into a larger pan and pour boiling water into the larger pan until halfway up the sides of the jars.

5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, the edges will appear to be set, but the center will still have a little jiggle to it.

6. Carefully remove the cheesecake jars from the water bath and place on a cooling rack to cool completely. Once the cheesecakes are completely cooled, place them into the refrigerator for at least 5 hours. Top will fresh berries and serve.

To find the entire recipe and notes on making glossy berries to top your cheesecakes click here to visit MyBakingAddiction.com!

Zen gardening is based on the contemplative gardens in the courtyards of the Zen temples during the 16th century. This Japanese style of gardening was used to discover the source and strenght of human nature. Zen teaches one to be calm, sincere and composed. So cultivating a miniature Zen garden is said to relieve stress and give one a sense of peace.

You can give your wedding guest a mini Zen Garden as a wedding favor to help them keep calm in this stressful economy and the cost per set is only $1.00!


Buy them in bulk, a case of 36, right here at DollarTree.com!