The Real Debate of '08: Frozen Yogurt

The Real Debate of '08: Frozen Yogurt

June 2008

What goes hand-in-hand with cake? Ice cream. And in DC we do love our frozen yogurt... Just ask the hill people. So I am adding a bit more fro-yo news here. Forget Obama and McCain, this is the battle that matters.

Domo Arigato Mr. Yogato

Opening: June 28, 2008

Another tangy yogurt spot is opening in the Dupont Circle area. Mr. Yogato is set to join the summer celebration this Saturday.

And Metrocurean is posting (Bring On The Fro-Yo Wars) that Pinkberry and Yogen Fruz aren't far behind.

Tangysweet Opens In Dupont

Opening: June 6, 2008

Today (6/6) is the opening of Tangysweet and they are giving out free samples. I won't pretend that I'm not going just to see the tables that change color, but you can go for the Pinkberry style fro-yo and fruit if you want. Check out the latest flavor import from LA.

Celtic Bridal Shower Cake

Celtic Bridal Shower Cake

May 2008

The theme for Mary and Ryan's wedding is the symbol for the celtic trinity, a simple and elegant trefoil.



This cake was for a wedding shower at an office. I love making cakes like this because it represents a break from the daily routine to celebrate someone's life and spend time in community. So I kicked it up by adding a layer of vanilla cake between the two chocolate ones. It was fun to assemble and hopefully retained its whimsy when cut.

Details:

Cake Details:

• Cake: Two layers of chocolate cake, with a layer of vanilla in the center
• Filling: Choclate bavarian cream
• Icing: Vanilla buttercream
• Decorations: Tinted vanilla buttercream and chocolate frosting

Kit Kat Heaven

Kit Kat Heaven
May 2008

If you haven't tried the "kit kat bar" at Central, you need to go immeadiately. Michael Richard (also of Citronelle) has layered hazelnut crunch with chocolate and chocolate mousse, and paired it with hazelnut ice cream that is thick and rich like gelato. A wonderful treat after a great meal.

Giraffe Cupcakes

Giraffe Cupcakes
May 2008

Kristi love both Giraffes and cupcakes. I wasn’t sure how these themes would mix for the baby shower treats, but I used the same chocolate layering as with the soccer balls to make little giraffe heads/necks that popped out of the icing.

Displayed beautifully at the party by Lanier.

What a great bite!

Cake Details:

• Cupcakes: Chocolate with chocolate chips
• Icing: Vanilla buttercream (white and baby blue)
• Decorations: Chocolate giraffes

(photo credit: Lanier)

Giraffes Part 2

Giraffes - Part 2

May 2007

Here are some details on the chocolate details. Outline the design by hand or using a template and let set in the freezer.

Melt the second color of chocolate (not too hot) and pour into the outlines. Let set.

Flip them over and add details, like the eyes.

Soccer Cupcakes

Soccer Cupcakes
May 2008

The Benefit Concert and Silent Auction for Ambassadors in Sports-Kenya was a huge success raising awareness, and funds, for AIS-Kenya “an organization building hope and relationship with the children of Kenya through the game of soccer.”

These cupcakes were part of the bakesale. I was going for the look of a soccer ball in a grassy field. I started with dark chocolate to pipe the circles and pentagon shapes, then filled it in with white-chocolate.

Cake Details

• Cupcakes: Chocolate


• Icing: Tinted vanilla buttercream


• Decorations: Chocolate soccer balls

Mojito Cupcakes

Mojito Cupcakes
May 2008

Congratulations to the NCL Fellows Class of 2008! To celebrate our last Wednesday night together we had a fiesta and I wanted to make something a little different to mark the occasion. Since we are big fans of the mojito, I modified last summer’s margarita cake into a mojito cupcake. They were yummy and would be perfect at a hot summer BBQ.

Ingredients:

White Cake mix (not yellow or butter recipe, just white or french-vanilla white)
1 can margarita mix (thawed)
1/8 cup dark rum OR a splash of rum extract
Peppermint extract
Zest of one lime (optional, but recommended)
Fresh mint leaves
Vanilla frosting (whipped cream frosting is best)

Recipe:

Start with boxed white cake mix. Add the eggs and oil as instructed, but instead of water mix the rum/rum extract with the melted can of margarita mix to make up the liquid amount indicated on the box. Top off the liquid with a splash of mint extract and the zest of one lime.

Bake as directed and top with a dollop and whipped cream frosting and a fresh mint leaf.

Cake Details:

• Cupcakes: Mojito
• Icing: Whipped vanilla frosting (yes, really, it was off the shelf)
• Decorations: Mint leaves