I've moved: New Blog

I have moved...Please visit my new Blog at Aesthetically Sweet! I have been working on transferring all old posts to the new site, while adding new creations in the midst of it all. Please subscribe and follow to the updated sweetness :) much love to you all and thank you for all of your continued support<3

Fudgy Salted Banana Pie with Pretzel Crust

Through the years, I have grown a true appreciation for pie- from the process to the end product. I enjoy making pies just as much as I enjoy eating them. Cake used to top my list of favorite desserts, but pie is topping that list now. There is something truly comforting and satisfying about pie. Pie is therapy, beautiful therapy. Producing pie is a truly beneficial stress relief. 

Recipe Testing: Lemon Basil Mascarpone Mousse Torte

Recipe testing is something like a rough draft. It must be done over and over until the recipe is just right. On occasion, you will get it on the first try, which is a fantastic feeling, but this does not happen frequently. All components must be fitting: flavor, texture, physical appearance, and so forth. Thus, recipe testing requires patience, perseverance and time. Although this recipe came out good, it still is not quite there. More basil flavor and mascarpone richness is needed. The texture will need some desirable changes as well, the mouth feel is just not there.  Adaptations must be made and the process will be completed again. 

Sorbetto Breakfast Parfaits

The weather was beautiful outside on Wednesday, so I embraced the day. I started the day off by making sorbetto breakfast parfaits for my siblings and I. A bright, summery and healthy breakfast treat that started us all on the right foot. After which my sister and I went for a walk through the neighborhood; a breath of fresh air and a lovely mind cleansing activity. I brought my camera with and I took pictures of the true beauty that most simply pass by each day without noticing. My sister bought a frozen coffee beverage, in which she sipped on while I took pictures.  It was such a lovely way to start the day.

Strawberries and Cream Cake

I have been learning a lot about myself this year; what I want from this life. This stems to all facets of my life: relationships, career, desires, goals. I have come to acceptance and realizations about certain things. I feel I am continuously learning more and more. The power of the now strikes home for me, especially at my age. This is the age to travel, experience, learn and make mistakes. I want to live a life full of stories, not what if's.

Strawberry Cherry Cobbler

This little lady just had a birthday. It was a wonderful day with wonderful people. I feel so blessed for my loved ones and my birthday was just a demonstration of that. They made me feel truly special in every way. Exhibit A, as you see in the picture below: I came home from work to a room truly "birthdayfied". All of my quoted pictures hung-up throughout my room had been re-quoted so that they all applied to "birthday". These decorations, in my opinion, were far better than the generic kind you find at the store. They exemplify love, creativity and time-well-spent. I could not stop smiling.

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies with sea salt and cocoa nibs

" The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it basically because you feel good, very good when you are near or with them," -Charles Bukowski 

I've been learning a lot about myself this year, what I want from this life, what I want to achieve, my inner most desires and goals. Above all, no matter where I am or what I am doing, I want to be happy. Happiness is my number one goal. This goal, is easier to achieve than one might think. It's just a matter of setting your mind to it, opening your mind to infinite possibilities. I am not worried about successes or failures, for these moments are meant for learning and experiencing. My goal is to be happy and live comfortably with the people dearest to me. I want to surround myself with free spirits and beautiful souls. 

Eton Mess

Memorial weekend is upon us. The weather forecast looks very adequate for such a weekend. I know for one thing, I want to embrace the glorious outdoors and spend much of this holiday outside, relaxing and eating delectable summer foods and drinking hard cider. Soon it will be June, when Summer will be in full swing. Summer dresses and sandals will be worn. Iced tea will be paired with fresh salads and grilled meats. Festivals and outdoor concerts will bring all types of people together. Fireflies will present their glow on the slightly breezy summer evenings, while the little kiddies will chase after them and collect them in jars. Picnics and barbecues will be plentiful. And the bright, beaming sunshine will provide natural energy and vibrant smiles. All will become exuberant with natural ease and summer happiness.

Chocolate Raspberry Birthday Cake

My beautiful mother's birthday was last Thursday. She chose an authentic Mexican restaurant for her birthday dinner. We started the meal off with guacamole and chips and salsa, of course. My sister and I gave in to the half-price house margaritas, while dad ordered a good ol' Corona with lime. My mom and I ordered the mushroom tacos, marinated and topped off with a jalapeno pico de gallo and Chihuahua cheese. They were unbelievable. The margarita balanced  the spicy pico exceptionally. After dinner we went for a walk through the neighborhood, ate large pieces of cake (pictured above) and opened gifts. It was a lovely night and celebration. 

Lemon Raspberry Clafoutis

Guess who's been baking again? Yes yours truly! And I'm embracing the bright flavors of Spring. Ahh Spring, finally Spring. I cannot even complain about this previous rainy week, because I am just so thankful for the warmer weather and the flowers peaking out of the ground, blooming beauty. The bloomed magnolias are some of my absolute favorite, though the flowering season for magnolias is so short. I do so enjoy exercising outdoors when the weather is nice. My mother and I take daily 40 minute power walks, breathing in the fresh air, listening to the birds, conversing, and observing the natural wonder that this world has to offer. These walks are so enjoyable, they do not even feel like exercise. They are especially enjoyable, now that the strong winds and brutal cold have passed, and the warming sunshine has found its way back to us. 

Long time, no see...

I do so apologize for the lack in posts. I have been so busy with work and personal affairs, and not so busy with at home cooking and baking. I will also admit, I have been very busy eating that of which you see above. Mr. Peter Cottontail paid us a visit and brought us each a multitude of goodies, which I have been busy eating. Although baked goods and chocolate are in my daily diet, I do have to watch my portions, therefore I have not had the need to bake. I know, I know no excuses...but this little lady does need to watch her girlish figure with the warmer weather approaching. I will say, however, that I will soon be working on a new dessert for work, as well as a special Mother's Day dessert for my beautiful mother, both of which will be bright and summery. And then the week after Mother's Day is my beautiful mother's birthday, so a lovely chocolate birthday cake is planned and soon to come as well. So much to be excited about and many posts promised within the next few weeks. 

I do wish that you all are well and enjoying this beautiful life, embracing each day to the fullest, and baking to your hearts content. I do promise you some delicious posts in the near future, you have my word. 

Bassnectar Birthday Cake

Cake is art. Every year I put a great deal of thought and creativity into my love's birthday cake. His favorite DJ is Bassnectar, thus I try to incorporate his symbol into his cake every year. This year I incorporated an album cover into it as well, bringing the elephant and hummingbird wings into the design. His trademark symbol was incorporated into the green "nectar flowers". The blue and brown whimsical "grasses" were the base to the "nectar flowers". But I made sure to make the focal piece the elephant and the symbolism behind. 

Chocolate Matzo Bark

The weather is finally warming-up, at least a little. April showers are trying to bring May flowers. And I am so very ready for it all. But I will admit that I cannot believe how quickly time is going, that it is already April, when it feels as if it were just New Year's and snowing. Though I sometimes become stuck in the monotony and habitual patterns of everyday life, I am trying to remind myself not to work against time, but work with it. Embracing each moment for what it is, right now. Living in the present moment. I sometimes forget this after a long day, but then I come back to reality and remind myself not to look at the big picture too much. Maybe I have not completed the vast majority of my New Year's goals, but that is okay. April will just bring more opportunities, especially with better weather and more daylight time. 

Carrot Cake

Happy Spring! The sun is out and the weather is finally starting to warm-up. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that I am more than ready for Spring and everything that comes along with it. People are happier, the sun provides us with natural energy and that ever needed vitamin-D, and we have the ability to spend more time outside. We will once again be able to go for frequent walks, exercise outdoors, picnic, eat ice-cream cones and frozen yogurt, walk around my hometown and go to all of the cute shops without freezing our tails off, and eat outside on the adorable patios of the many near-by local restaurants. I am so truly excited I almost cannot contain myself. Just typing all of this statements has me giddy with excitement just at the idea of doing all of these activities. 

As it was still quite windy and cold yesterday, we took part in some Sunday-Funday activities indoors. My love surprised me and treated me to a massage, while he was getting his hair cut. This was my first massage ever, so as silly as this sounds, I was a little nervous going in to it. Oh my goodness was it ever wonderful. I felt so zen and comfortable throughout the whole process, and when it was over, my muscles and sense of being felt so calm and relaxed. If you have never had a massage, I now strongly suggest it. It is such a calming experience. After this, we went to find some food, and ended up at Fuddruckers. I have not been to Fuddruckers in ages and had completely forgotten how good it is. As it was Sunday-Funday, we had blueberry mojitos with our meals. And then followed suit with a big bag of cookies to take home with us, which we snacked on while watching our rented movie. All in all it was such a wonderful day spent with my love and I feel so invigorated today. We all really need days like these. 

Chocolate Hazelnut Toffee Cake

Ahhh March is upon us, which means paczkis, Mardi Gras, leprechauns, green wine, corn beef and hash and so many more fabulous things. It also  means the beginning of the Lenten Season. I for one, do not give anything up for lent and instead focus my attention on trying to be even more gracious, kind and giving to those around me. As far as no meat on Friday's, no big deal here. We eat very little meat in my house, and I for one am actually a Flexitarian (vegetarian most days, but eating meat on occasion). We do not eat a lot of fish in my house, I do, however, very much like it, as well as the many health benefits it provides. So we will be eating a lot of meatless rice dishes, vegetable soups and nutty pestos, which I very much look forward to.

As far as paczkis, you cannot beat homemade. I have yet to dig up and find my Polish Great Grandmother's recipe so I can make a batch myself. The paczkis at the supermarkets and bakeries around my house, just do not compare to a one hundred percent Polish Great Grandmother's recipe, and don't get me started on potato rolls. I actually started this blog off with a recipe of my Great Grandmother's and another one will be soon to come. 

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

I have been a very busy bee in the recipe creation process; which is an obviously long, tedious process. As we all know, baking is chemistry and well lets just say, sometimes the chemistry process does not always work. I spent a couple of weeks working on new dessert ideas for work and formulating, so I apologize for the lack in posts. I will also admit, that with this winter weather I have not had my normal energy level. More or less, I have been reading and watching television shows here and there, quite more than I normally do. However, it has been quite lovely catching up on all of my reading and increasing my knowledge and improving my brain in the process. I will also admit, that my Christmas decorations are still up. I think Valentine's day is the official sign that those need to come down too. Regardless to say, I cannot wait for Spring. My energy will be back, evening walks will be more possible, and the sun will be shining for a longer period of each beautiful day.

Dark Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes

Happy Monday to you! Well it's almost Tuesday now, but Happy Monday and Happy New Work/School week to you all! I for one had a lovely weekend and a lovely past two days off full of beautiful people and absolutely fabulous food and drinks. I enjoyed some lovely coffee and desserts and delightful conversation with my mom. Something we do weekly, as we both thoroughly enjoy it and it is truly wonderful mother daughter time. Chocolate and coffee are medicine to us both. Physical, mental and emotional medicine. Medicine for the body and soul. Happiness medicine. Stress relief medicine. Medicine medicine. Coffee and chocolate therapy. It was really nice time spent with my mom. We even did a little walking and light local shopping, taking advantage of the somewhat warmer weather before another cold front comes in.

Cardamom Pistachio Cake with Coffee Glaze

Well firstly, Happy New Year!! 2014! I am so truly excited for this new year. New goals, new experiences, new memories, and new recipes. This year I did not make a New Year's resolution, but instead made a list of very achievable goals to complete throughout the year. Goals that I have been meaning to work on or complete for some time, and what better time than a New Year. One goal of course is more blog posts. And to enhance this blog further, another goal is to invest in a very nice quality camera. So expect some beautiful pictures very soon, wink wink. I want to use the camera for this blog, but also to invest some time into photography. Snapping photos of things that I find most beautiful, intriguing, inspiring and then using these photos as inspiration for my pastries and cake designs. This photo above was taken simply. A rustic photo of a rustic cake on a rustic table, no background scene, icing drizzles and pistachio crumbs on the cake board. But with this new year and a new camera, the photography will be so much more in depth. New backgrounds, new scenes, new inspiration.