Friday, October 14, 2011

Toffee Cupcakes!

If there's one thing we always have plenty of at Sweet-Stops... it's toffee bits! But those luscious crumbs never go to waste! They are fabulous as a cupcake topper!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Designer Cupcakes

So a client asked us: Can you make Louis Vuitton cupcakes?  We knew we could... it was just a matter of borrowing a friend's handbag for inspiration! Under that delicious fudge fondant, is a creamy layer of meringue icing and the rich chocolate cupcake is filled with fluffy ganache.  Decadence in every bite... and fit for a fashionista!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Creative Energy!

When passionate people get together in a room, there's no telling what can happen. We certainly didn't expect to see so many gorgeous cupcakes from ladies who had absolutely no experience with fondant. They created fabulous little beauties... that rival those seen in designer cupcake shoppes!  But the best part was all the laughing and ooohing and aaahing that went on, as we spent a happy day bonding and forging some new friendships!  Thanks ladies! xoxo

Friday, July 29, 2011

Toffee Tea Party!

Next time you break out the fine china for a tea party... skip the tea and crumpets and just fill those porcelain cups with scoops of vanilla ice cream! Drizzle on the chocolate sauce, add dollops of whipped cream and scrumptious toffee bits... then top with a cherry!  Don't forget to curl your pinkie!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Scrumptious Toffee Bits!

Whenever we cut our Sweet-Stops toffee... there are always broken bits left in the pan. Most of the time, they go into our toffee oatmeal cookies or sugar toffee cookies... but once in awhile we like to toss them into a hot bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, sprinkle them over pancakes or waffles, or tuck them into a doughy soft cinnamon roll! Later this week, we'll be taping an online webisode with Cheryl Style... that's all about the luscious ways you can use those toffee bits (yes ... we also stir them into coffee ice cream and freeze for a heavenly treat!)  We'll share some of our ideas once the webisode is available online... and hope you'll share your ideas with us!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes!

Wow! Two amazing flavors come together to make one gorgeous dessert!  A dark chocolate cupcake topped with strawberry flavored buttercream and a luscious chocolate covered strawberry! Pure heaven from Crafty Confections! We had to post this picture, since we drooled all over it... and figured you would do the same!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Cupcake Cocktails!

We flipped for these Cupcake Cocktails created by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson for a party dessert table! Jelly beans in the bottom of a martini glass, a slice of cupcake, frosting and more jelly beans on top. Oh and yes, you will need a cocktail fork to dig right in!

Cupcake Liner Wreath

Cleaning out the pantry... and have waay too many cupcake liners you'll never use? Look at this cute idea! Make a fun, frilly wreath!  Attach a pretty bow and hang it... or set it on the table and put a tall cake pedestal in the center... piled high with gorgeous cupcakes!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Walnut Cookies

Rarely do you see cookies that stop you in your tracks... but these do! Not only do they look like real walnuts... they taste like them too! Even the chocolate creme is flavored with toasted walnut bits. Made with a special mold... these are sure to impress both the eyes and the tastebuds! Bought our walnut mold online at http://www.houseonthehill.net/

Pastries and Petals in Carmel

Thanks to one of our facebook friends... we checked out a fabulous dessert shop in Carmel called Pastries and Petals. Yes, they do flowers on their cupcakes... but isn't this charming too?  Carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting... topped with a pretty orange bow!

Patriotic Strawberries!

How about this darling idea for your next Fourth of July bash? Pretty on a plate and a clever way to get the kids to eat fruit! Simply dip in white icing... then in blue sanding sugar. Check out some other great red, white and blue party ideas at our dear friend's fabulous blog at: www.ohpicklesmommy.blogspot.com

Cupcakes from Your Childhood

A simple way to create cupcakes you ate as a youngster... just fill the centers of any yummy cupcake with a mixture of marshmallow creme whipped with some butter... then dip in a glaze of melted chocolate chips, butter and a dash of corn syrup.  Don't forget the fun icing swirls on top!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Whipping up Divine Desserts!

Just had to share this hilarious picture of us dressed in our cocktail finery, whipping up something sweet! To those of you who wonder... do those two really do the baking for Sweet-Stops?... the answer is YES.  But do we dress like this as we create our divinely decadent desserts?... HARDLY!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Cherry Birthday Party!

A friend sent us this picture from her adorable "cherry" themed birthday party! It's the details that matter... "cherry sugar cookies", "cherry lemonade", "cherry tomatoes", even the trees had red "cherry" balloons hanging in the branches.  Now that's a sweet party!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

That's a horse, I mean zebra, of a different color!

The great thing about fondant is... the color.  No, the shapes you can make. Actually, it's how fun it is to play with.  Or maybe how it melts like taffy in your mouth. Okay, we admit it... the fun thing about fondant is: EVERYTHING!
It inspired us to try something waaay out there... like turquoise zebra stripes! How fun!

Make Dessert Special

Why just serve cupcakes...  when you can "present" them instead!  Make a statement with a minature cupcake pedestal. We made ours by gluing a small appetizer plate to an upside down egg cup... both bought for loose change at Cost Plus World Market.   Shhhhh... don't tell... and your guests will think you got them at a fancy kitchen store.

The Magic of Icing

There are cupcakes... and then there are cupcakes that take your breath away. For just an instant... you wonder if you can actually eat it. Maybe this is one you should put on a pedestal and worship? Nah... not when they taste this good! We promise... our pretty flower petal icing is not only beautiful... it tastes divine!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Baby Shower Rattle Cupcakes

The nursery colors are purple and green... can Sweet-Stops come up with an adorable "rattle" cupcake for the baby shower?  Can we ever!  Ganache-filled fudge cupcakes with lighter than air meringue icing. Lollipop sticks and fondant make the handles... (or find a lollipop in the right color!) Darling and delicious!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Cupcakes for Breakfast?

Oh wow... how's this sound for breakfast? Pancake batter mixed with muffin batter for the cupcake. Maple frosting topped with a slice of crispy bacon? Okay, and maybe a drizzle of syrup on top! Sweet-stops can't wait for that next brunch order!

Toffee Brownie Pops!

What to do with those left-over brownies that are still moist and chewy... but rather boring? Roll them into balls, dip them in dark chocolate, sprinkle with pecans and put 'em on a stick. The only thing better than cake pops... are brownie pops... and these are extra yummy, because we put toffee bits in the brownie batter!  Took just a few minutes to whip up these luscious treats!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Toffee Rounds

Who says toffee has to be square? Decided to try something different in the kitchen this morning and invented Toffee Rounds!  They'll be perfect for topping a fabulous cupcake.  Roll one over here please!

Sweetheart

Has this ever happened to you?  You see a picture that captivates... and you think to yourself... "I can do that!"  It's pretty sweet when it works! YUM!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

No greater compliment than having a fabulous baker use our toffee bits in her beyond decadent cupcake. Can you say ... I'll take two please (and start my diet tomorrow!) Check out Chef Tess Bakeresse's amazing blog at: http://cheftessbakeresse.b​logspot.com/2011/07/carame​l-filled-carrot-cakes-with​.html

Monday, July 11, 2011

Fetch this!

Who wouldn't love a gingerbread cookie shaped like a doggie treat... bearing the name of your favorite pooch?  Add some royal icing hearts on each end... and if your kids are like mine... they'll be begging for more!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Dessert is always more special when it's garnished with flowers. Who says they have to be real? These lovely white fondant roses took just seconds to fashion by hand this morning, but what an impression they make. You can dust them with shimmery edible dust... or leave them plain like these and simply add some mint sprigs.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today, Sweet-Stops celebrates the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Do you use chips or chocolate chunks? Nuts or plain? Prefer them crunchy or chewy? Feel free to share your favorite recipe or story. Wish we could share how good they smell fresh out of the oven. Somebody pour us a tall glass of cold milk!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Fondant Rose Cupcakes

Inspired by some lovely cupcakes we saw on Bakerella's post ... and had to give them a try this morning... so sweet.... and as easy as can be!