Small Batch Chocolate Vanilla Bean Latte Cupakes

When you need something to attach your sweet tooth, this recipe is perfect. It makes 4 to 5

perfect little cupcakes depending on how much you fill the cupcake cups. I filled them about

half and I got 6 perfect sized cupcakes.

Pretty good, huh!

I really love the pairing of the chocolate and coffee. I

used the recipe I found on this very talented baker from,

Sweet Revelations

I really enjoy the beautiful food photography

and of course the goodies look amazing!

Her fondant roses are so pretty but I didn't have

the time so I just skipped that step but it would

sure add a little bit of pretty to these if you give them

as a gift or just impress your friends.

Enjoy!!

The Pastry Diva



Snickers Cupcakes

Snickers Cupcakes with a surprise of little pieces of snickers and a drizzle of caramel hidden inside!

   

I know you want to lick your screen!

These are easy to make, I used the recipe I found

a great website, Annie's Eats 

I did change it up a bit by using a boxed cake mix, and a jarred caramel sauce. I know, I

try to use use the recipe as-is but with the time I had I

decided a mix would work and the result was very good.

These little gems are going out to my little brother who is celebrating

a birthday on Monday! I thought candy bar cupcakes would

be a favorite for my 20 something little brother!

Enjoy!

Gearing up for the Fall Season with some Sweet Goodies!

This time of year has to me my favorite! I really enjoy the cooler weather and the last bits of sunshine before they disappear behind the clouds of  the winter rain and possibly snow. Today, I was checking over my calendar and noticed there are exactly two weeks till Thanksgiving and I thought it's about time we all start thinking about what we are going to make for the Holiday season dinners and parties. Here a few recipes I want to try this coming season! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Scones from The Baker Girl

Now this would definitely make me want to skip dinner and go straight to dessert.
Candy and Caramel Apple pie from She's Becoming Domestic

or you could delight your guests by serving this lovely looking cake!
Heaven and Hell Cake from Whisk Kid


If you enjoy a lighter dessert but still very impressive at your Thanksgiving meal,
My own Recipe for Pumpkin Mousse

Pumpkin Mousse

1 Pint of Whipping Cream

1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of Splenda

1/2 cup of Pumpkin Puree

1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Pour the whipping cream in to a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment . Turn on to med speed and whisk about 3 min. till the cream comes to a soft peak when you lift the whisk out of the bowl.Add remaining ingredients and whip till combined and the mixture is stiff. Don't over beat. Test the flavor and adjust the sweetness or the spice level to your liking. It is best to serve right away. But you can save it for later in the refrigerator, a late night snack maybe? Serves 4 small servings or 2 large.

Enjoy!!

The Pastry Diva

Chocolate Strawberry Ice Box Pie

This past week I was able to spend a week at a beach house for the 4th of July with Geoff,his Son and a family friend. It was a much needed time away from the world.  While planning our big 4th of July dinner I wanted to make a special dessert, like I always do when there is any kind of party or gathering.

 I had a limited supply of baking pans. I found a glass pie pan and decided I could modify it and still make it a very good dessert we could enjoy after our meal and while we watch the fireworks.

Here are the ingredients I used. If I was home making this I would have made real whip cream but the store bought whipped topping turned out to be very good. This is a great Semi-homemade recipe if you are having your own summer gathering.One note:Ignore the baked beans in the picture, they aren't part of the recipe, unless you WANT to be adventurous. NOT!!! Ha Ha!!

Chocolate Strawberry Ice Box Pie

2 1lb Packages of Strawberries
1 box of Famous Nabisco Chocolate Wafers
2 Tubs of Extra Creamy Whip cream
A Glass or metal pie pan

1.Wash and chop one of the containers of strawberries
2.Mix one tub of whip cream with the chopped strawberries and set aside
3.Line the pie plate with chocolate wafers using extra to cover any holes
4.Carefully spread the whip cream,strawberry mixture onto the wafers.
5.add another layer of chocolate layers over the top and spread the other tub of whipped topping over the wafers.
6.Slice a few more strawberries and decorate as desired
7.I crushed 4 or 5 left over wafers and sprinkled the crumbs over the top.

Chill in the refrigerator 4 hours or overnight.

Enjoy,
The Pastry Diva

Wordless Wednesday's

Brioche

I have never been one to shy away from a challenge, so when I came across a recipe for brioche bread I decided I would give it a try. I have experience baking bread although I haven't really made any in a long time. King Arthur flour is a great site recourse for a wealth of baking information and if you leave a message or comment on any of their recipes and you had trouble with a recipe coming out right, they will respond with helpful suggestions on how to make the recipe better.

This recipe for Brioche look like it was going to be the one I wanted to try and after reading the reviews and comments it looked pretty good.

If you notice the picture of the dough rising the braided loaf didn't really retain its shape and turned out more like bread sticks then a loaf of bread. Oh well, you live and learn. I think that my kitchen wasn't warm enough to sufficiently let the dough rise enough. The braided loaf in the bread pan didn't raise enough but baked well and had a beautiful brown top. I am happy with the results but I guess next time I may let it rise in a warmer place longer? Since it baked well and the taste was very good I decided to use it to make French toast for dinner the next night.
The Kids loved it and I even made home made syrup.

I know even if it turn out "picture perfect" it did taste amazing for dinner the next night.

Enjoy,
The Pastry Diva

Wordless Wednesday's