Sugarbaby

I totally went against the rule to "never judge a book by its cover" because I bought this book strictly based on the cover! The name Sugarbaby, the cotton candy and macaroons, and the pink, teal, and white colors are what sold me. If you like sugar, you need this book! I did not know you could make cotton candy without a machine and I never thought about making rock candy, but how fun! Sugarbaby is a great resource for cute take away and party gifts. It has recipes from cakes and icing to taffy and candy. There are a few things that you must have for any of these recipes: A candy thermometer, a good pot, a wooden spoon, and SUGAR!

- L -

Flag Your Favors

Labeling or decorating your party treats or beverages are small touches that make quite a statement. This is one of the easiest DIY projects you can do. I would keep with a consistent color story or theme throughout, like the pictures above. Even if it is just some fun straws that you are adding to drinks, it helps create a tone and theme to your party. I got these images from Pinterest as inspiration for my next get together. I might go all out with flags, straws, custom stickers and koozies! I have to point out my favorite old Anthropologie tea cups in the picture below, what a lovely use for them!

- L -

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

The making of Caramel...

One Cup of sugar. Two tablespoons corn syrup. Four tablepoons water.
Boil a couple minutes until light brown...

2/3 cup heavy cream. 3 tablespoons butter. One squeeze of lemon juice, sea salt.  

The making of the frosting...

2 sticks butter. 8 ounce cream cheese.

One cup of caramel. 2 cups confectioners sugar.

MIX

Chocolate Cupcakes

Ina Garten recipe (this one).
I added chocolate pieces for a filling.

I made my first batch of caramel frosting last week and loved it so much I made it for two events! You can never go wrong with Ina Garten's chocolate cake, but I like to add a center to my cupcakes, so I put a pieces of chocolate in the center after about ten minutes of baking and then put them back in the oven to finish cooking. Before I put the heavy cream and butter in the caramel I drizzled some on a piece of aluminum foil, and sure enough it hardened like caramel candy immediately. I used the hard caramel as a topper for the cupcakes. 

These cupcakes got very good reviews, you must try!

- L -