Trick or Treat

Perhaps it's the constant nagging of the Halloween candy bowl filled (now completely picked through of the good options) with snack-sized treats, but my sweet tooth is a dominating force this month. Also to blame? The corner restaurant that has to make an apple toffee cake every weekend that's quickly become my favorite new thing. Shame, shame on you Fab's. These Halloween inspired treats from Epicurious all have something in common, they're spooky and look delicious. Which one looks best to you?

finger cookies

ghosts cake

spiderweb cookies

gingerbread skeletons

Indoor S'mores

As my boyfriend plans an upcoming camping trip with his brother, the only thing that sounds appealing is the thought of making s'mores by a campfire. Lucky for me, my fondue pot serves as a more appealing option considering it means no bug spray, summer humidity and the whole sleeping in a tent thing. In addition to graham cracker and marshmallow dippers, crisp "pink lady" and "golden delicious" apple slices and whole strawberries were dunked into my blend of marshmallow fluff and chocolate sauce. My mind kept thinking of other items to dip, and I'm sure just about anything would taste great dipped into that mix.

Strawberry Fields Forever

This past weekend, I ventured out to the California Strawberry Festival with high expectations to devour loads of sugary treats incorporating my favorite fruit. After several hours in traffic and unpredicted parking lines, I begrudgingly payed my admission fee and was welcomed by hundreds of other patrons waiting in line for mediocre foods at outrageous prices. Let's just say, it's not the quaint, hometown feel I had pictured in my head all week. For now, I'll have to inundate my dessert recipes with strawberries to make up for my festival disappointment.

the classic strawberry shortcake

chocolate covered berries
with varying toppings

the simplicity of strawberries and cream
with chocolate sauce

I welcome all of you to do the same :)

*all images via flickr, click image for source*

For Peep's Sake

Easter brings far too many sugary treats to choose from. With cupcakes adorned with animal creations and jelly beans galore, the presentation in these desserts almost makes them too cute to eat. Nevertheless, my sweet tooth always wins out, and they don't stand a chance. Now if only I could decide which one to make. Option 1: A little eeny, meeny, miny, moe... Option 2: You help me decide.

Baby Chick Cupcakes
coconut feathers & almond beaks

Edible Easter Baskets
ice cream cone baskets & licorice handles

"Lambchop" Cupcakes
marshmallow bodies & jelly bean ears and legs


Birds Nest Cookies
Cadbury eggs & coconut nest

I Love You Berry Much

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I think a dessert recipe is in order. Whether you plan on spending the day gushing over your other half or pretending the Hallmark holiday doesn't even exist, everyone can agree a sugary treat is a benefit of the day. This Cream Cheese and Pecan Stuffed Berries recipe gives you the taste of strawberry cheesecake without the cooking time. Who doesn't like that?

Happy Valentine's Day blog buddies!

In Search of Another Sweet Treat

I think I've discussed my love for frozen yogurt. Love quickly turned into addiction. This picture alone is making me want to drive to Pinkberry or Yogurtland and order a plain tart with rasperries, blackberries, and mochi balls. Add in strawberries or kiwi for the self serve places. See? I already know exactly what I would order! That goes to show you how much froyo I've consumed since my discovery of it.

Alas, I came to the realization that I needed to attempt to find another sweet treat. After a scruptious roast beef panini @ Urban Eats (It's not everyday that both eaters sigh in pure delight to a sandwich), we made our way across the street to Porto's Bakery where a plethora of sweet treats awaited me and the boyfriend.

Hmmm...I wonder which one I picked.

Maybe the girly flower gave it away...I couldn't say "no" to such a beautiful creation. Little gems like this make me want to be a pastry chef. No self control when it comes to food might be a bit of a problem with that career choice. I would foresee 80% consumption and 20% production.

"Chelsea, where are those cupcakes?"
Me:"uhhhh." and thinking 'in my belly...'

My coconut covered cake was 3/4 whipped cream inside and a little bottom layer of vanilla cake. Add in some pineapple bits to the cream, and you've got the idea. The Oreo cheesecake was rich, that's all I can remember, because I was only allowed one bite. :)

I'm off to enjoy my Wednesday off. Hope you all have a great start to this July, and I'll see you back here tomorrow.