Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Cupcake!

I have to admit that I am a cupcake junkie and I LOVE our local shop, Cupcake. I search for excuses to devour one of their delicious cupcakes!! This week we adventured to the King Street shop downtown after our Aquarium play date. Trips to the shop never get boring because there are always nine featured yummy flavors that include both the traditional flavors and some unique seasonal choices. I could not resist all the chocolate in this beauty, a Chocloate Tuxedo Cupcake.


One of my favorite pick me up gifts for friends and family are these sweet little cupcake tokens. What better way to say thanks for being sweet than a cupcake token??? Hmmm.. Halloween is coming and I think these would be perfect little treats!! Great spin on the gift card idea!!



You can't miss either of their signature cars either?? Doesn't it make you smile??




Cupcake also offers mini cupcakes, which I think are the perfect size for a "finger" food type party. You can also order a super-sized version that would feed a small dinner party. Yum Yum!! Visit their web-site for more details, especially the different options for cupcake parties. If you live in the Charleston or Columbia area, be sure to follow Cupcake on Twitter or Facebook for great discounts!!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Favorite Summer Gadgets

Yippee for this new silicone ice and baking tray! Yes, you heard that correctly. You can freeze this to make ice and bake some yummy goodies in the same tray! They come in a variety of colors and you can order numbers or letters. You can even order one tray of all the same number. Perfect for your birthday celebrations. The flexible material is non-stick and dishwasher safe. What a great fun way to teach letters and numbers. Wouldn't you practice your spelling words with a yummy treat?? I love multi-purpose gadgets!


Here are a few ideas for the molds......
1. Chocolate molds - delicious!!!
2. Melt old crayon pieces for some new unique favors.
3. Jello anyone????
4. Ice - I made a ton of the number 1 for our neighbor that is going into first grade this year. Her mom is going to add them to her drinks to get her excited about starting school. We even added food coloring to the water to jazz them up!!
5. Cute soap for bath time.
6. Butter Mold
7. Candle Mold

Recipes and directions for making crayons, chalk, and soap can be found here at Sillycone Inc.



Order Here to spell out your fun! Hehe!

Pluff Mudd Studio is now an affiliate of Amazon.com!
If you decide to purchase any of our recommended gadgets, please use the links in the post to support our blog!


Thursday, July 22, 2010

Dodeline Designs Giveaway!!

Everything local wins my heart and the adorable stationery from Dodeline Designs is no exception! The modern designs and phrases scream lowcountry and the south.
I was giddy with excitement when my sweet little package of cards arrived in the mail. I LOVE the bright colors and coordinating envelopes. My hubby even creeped over to take a look and called dibs on this Street Sign card inspired by 2 of our popular historic streets downtown Charleston.

I could not help, but smile when I read the phrase on this card. "Bless your heart!" That is such a southern phrase!! Hehe


Of course my favorite was the vibrant pink and blue Peony inspired card.


I can think of a million uses for these precious cards. I have purchased a few of the "Welcome" cards for little guest gift baskets and notes. Who can resist the Coburg Cow card?
If you are local, you can spot Sarah's cards at Open House, Mac and Murphy, and Celadon. Just another reason to visit some of my favorite stores!!

Not only is Sarah extremely talented at creating stationery and custom invitations, but she also designs web-sites and blogs. A one stop shop for a little sassy lowcountry flair!!

Now here is the BEST part...... One lucky Pluff Mudd reader will win 4 cards of their choice!! Hmmm, so many amazing designs how will you decide??


ENTER TO WIN YOUR SET OF 4 CARDS!

There are lots of chances to win this giveaway!
You can enter lots of times by doing any one of the following to increase your odds of winning.
or....
You can do just ONE entry!

Make sure to leave a separate comment for each action that you complete, so you have a better chance of winning! The more entries increases your odds!!! Good Luck!!

1. Hop over to the Dodeline Designs web-site or Etsy shop,
come back & leave a comment with your favorite item!
2. Become a fan of Dodeline Designs on Facebook.
& leave a comment here that you are a fan (or already are!)
4. Become a blog follower of Pluff Mudd Studio & leave a comment here that you are a follower (or already are!)
5. Post about this giveaway on your own Blog, Facebook Page and/or Tweet about it & comment here with the links! (up to 3 entries for posting)


Winner will be chosen on Sunday, August 1st at 11:00pm (EST).
Any entries received after this time will not be considered. Open to US residents only.
Winner will be chosen using random.org

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Sweet Pillow Cookies!!

Yum Yum!! I originally saw these Pillow Cookies over at Bakerella and I could not wait to try them. It doesn't get any better than chocolate chip cookies and brownies together!!!!!
Get your aprons out because you will want to bake up these delicious treats!

Let's get started...
First of all, you need to bake up your favorite brownies. I used a good old-fashioned box kit of brownies and baked them the night before I baked the cookies. I used an 8 x 8 pan, but I think a larger pan would have made the brownies a little smaller and easier to place in the cookies. Cut the brownies into 1 inch squares. I cut 16 and used 14 of the brownie squares. You will not use all of the brownies, so you can eat the leftovers.

Next, whip up your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough.
I used this recipe recommended by Bakerella!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup butter room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, plus one egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 oz. bag of miniature chocolate chip cookies

Directions:
1. Beat the butter in a mixer until it is creamy.
2. Add the light brown sugar and beat until smooth.
3. Add eggs, yolk, and vanilla and beat until smooth.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and beat until combined.
6. Stir in mini chips.
7. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for about an hour.

Voila!! Cookie Dough!! Of course this is my favorite Kitchen Aid mixer!!!!

Now, the good part!!!!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Layout a sheet of parchment paper. Scoop out the cookie batter using a half-cup measuring cup. My cookie dough was really cold and kind of stiff, so I used a spoon to pack it in and scoop it out. Next, place the dough on the parchment paper. These cookies are HUGE, so I only put 6 on a large baking sheet. After, I scooped six cookies, I used the back of a tablespoon to make an indention for the brownie.


Now, place the brownie squares into the cookie dough and work the dough around the brownie. Use your hands to shape the cookie into a ball.



If the dough gets too sticky, place it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Bake the six cookies for about 18 minutes at 350 degrees. (Mine were so big, it actually took about 22.) I covered the cookies with foil for the last few minutes to keep the outside from getting too crunchy.

Once they are finished cooking, place them on a cookie rack to cool.

Now the part you are dying for.... Check out the brownie on the inside.

These cookies are huge and one batch makes about 12 cookies. Next time, I think I will use a little less batter for each cookie. I also want to mix in some peanut butter chips. :)

Now I could not keep all these deliciously treats to myself, so I made some "Thanks for being sweet!" favor tags and delivered them to friends.


Download your FREE set of favor tags for your cookies and sweets here!

Happy baking!!
As usual, I would love to see pictures of your cookies or creations with the fun favor tags.
Thanks for being a Pluff Mudd Studio blog follower!!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Yummy Ice Cream Cake Pops

Love these ice cream cake pops from Bakerella! They scream summer party!!!

(Photo Courtesy of Bakerella)

The best part about the ice cream cake pop is that the icing does not have to be perfect. The little drips make them look more like real ice cream cones. I LOVE the chocolate sauce and the "cherry" is a yummy peanut butter M&M! More details can be found over at Bakerella, but the directions and "how-to" can only be found in her book.



Pluff Mudd Studio is now an affiliate of Amazon.com!
If you decide to purchase any of our recommended reads, please use the links in the post to support our blog!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Hydrangea Cupcakes

One of my favorite flowers to cut from the yard and add to floral arrangements are hydrangeas! I keep adding different varieties of color, texture, and blooming season. The pink, blue, and purple color depend on the acidity of the soil, except for white hydrangeas which do not change. (Usually, the natural acidity of Charleston soil keeps the hydrangeas shades of blue and purple.) I bring them over in vases to dinner parties, deliver them to the secretaries in my office, place on the bedside table in guest room, had them in my wedding florals, etc. Here is a picture of them making a premier on my mantel at a baby shower I hosted.
(I think I am obsessed a little!!)
So you can bet that I am smitten with these Hydrangea cupcakes from Glorious Treats! The recipe for the chocolate cupcakes and the vanilla cream cheese frosting is available on her blog. Plus, detailed directions for making the beautiful petals. You must check it out!
Guess what tip she used to make those fabulous petals?
Our favorite, Wilton 2D!!!!


(Photos from Glorious Treats)

I can not wait for a luncheon, bridal shower, etc. to make these beauties!!
Thanks for sharing Glory!!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Super Sweets!

I LOVE our local Charleston parent magazine for so many reasons and the July issue did not disappoint. One of the feature stories included birthday themes and "Sensational Sweets". Of course I was drawn to the sweets, so here are several of my favorites....

"Pink Princess Cupcakes" by Barbara Beery was given to me as a gift and I have found a ton of ideas that are easy to replicate in this book.

I have a crush on animal prints and these wild cupcakes from Beery's book are so sassy!!! Wouldn't these be perfect for a Safari, Stylish Sweet Sixteen, or Jungle theme party?!? I am even thinking how I could work this in to a ladies night......Hmmm Cupcakes and Cocktails anyone???

"What's New Cupcake?" by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson has popped up everywhere and has been the inspiration for a lot of my party themes.

Cate has a play date at the aquarium coming up at the end of the summer. This is her outfit from Shrimp and Grits Kids. I love the smocked gold fish and guess what????

You guessed it.... there are cupcakes to match in this book!!!

I am not really a baker or that great at icing yet, but I love the pictures and ideas in the book "Confetti Cakes for Kids" by Elisa Strauss and Christie Matheson.

Hmmm - Are you inspired to run to Barnes and Noble or check out Amazon for these fantastic books?? I would love any other recommendations of your favorite sweets books.

Pluff Mudd Studio is now an affiliate of Amazon.com!
If you decide to purchase any of our recommended reads, please use the links in the post to support our blog!
Related Posts with Thumbnails