Dots & stripes cake

For sweet Claire, whose birthday is on New Year's day- she had a pre-Christmas birthday party at a candy store, complete with face painting and glitter tattoos. The cake was vanilla with vanilla filling.

P&G eStore Holiday Specials

Ok, so every now and then I post a book or product review on here. I participate in a great blogging network called BlogHer (see that ad column on the left? That's why that is there. Clicking on it would be awesome, thanks). For the holiday season, they've asked some bloggers to help promote Proctor & Gamble's eStore. Here's the skinny on what's in it for you:

• 15% off on a first-time order from a new customer, using promo code: A9Z-MN5-KY3-ISA 
• Free Shipping on orders over $25
• Free Samples with every order

You had me at "free samples." Here are a few products that I honest-to-goodness love. LOVE.

I started using these years ago when they first came out because I saw an ad in a magazine and got them at some special promo price. They seriously get your teeth so white (it's the first thing all my husband's friends in Italy notice about me. Crazy Euros), and they're easy and quick to use. There are quite a few different types. I just go with the basic because that's what I'm used to. I'm sure the others are amazing as well. For a full list and to order, go here.

These new Tide Pods are Laundry Detergent + Stain Remover + Brightener in one. Just throw the pod in the washer (with some laundry) and you're done! I love the Spring Meadow scent, but it also comes in Ocean Mist and Mystic Forest. For a complete list and to order, go here.

Batteries. I'm a mom. We have lots of toys. Enough said. Our batteries of choice (or, rather necessity) are AA and AAA. Duracell is also having a sweepstakes where you can win $100 of batteries! Enter here.
Some other great products: 
Oral-B Rechargeable Electric Toothbrushes
Olay Skin Care 
CoverGirl Cosmetics 
Downy Unstoppables 
Braun Electric Razors 
Gillette Bundles (men) 
Check out the eStore. With free shipping and 15% off, you can't go wrong!
 

Chocolate Truffle Pie

For Thanksgiving at my in-laws' this year I was assigned a chocolate dessert. I didn't really feel like making brownies or cake, and I found this recipe for Chocolate Truffle Pie that sounded amazing. A chocolate ganache layer, a chocolate whipped cream layer and a sweetened whipped cream layer in a graham cracker crust- three ingredients and some chilling time.

The pie is very rich and sweet- I would recommend cutting these slices very small. It's delicious and everyone loved it!

Truffle Pie

adapted from Deen Brothers

Truffle Layer:
2⁄3 cup heavy cream
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 10-inch prepared graham cracker crust

Whipped Chocolate Layer:
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla

Whipped Cream Topping:
1 cup heavy cream
1⁄4 cup confectioners’ (powdered) sugar
For the truffle filling, in a saucepan, bring 2⁄3 cup cream to a simmer. Place the 1 cup chocolate chips in a bowl and pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand for 1 minute, then gently whisk until smooth. Spread truffle filling over the bottom of the prepared crust. Freeze for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, for the whipped chocolate filling, in a small saucepan over low heat, melt the 1 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cream until melted, stirring often. Let cool to room temperature. In a chilled bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup cream until thick. Add the chocolate mixture and the vanilla and beat until firm peaks form. Spread the whipped chocolate mixture over the truffle filing in the crust. Refrigerate overnight.

Just before serving, for the topping, beat 1 cup cream on medium speed of an electric mixer until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners’ sugar and whip until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the top of the pie. Serve immediately.
Servings: 8

Hello Kitty Cake V

Oh, the ever popular Hello Kitty party decor at Party City. This is the fifth cake I've done to match it. I love Hello Kitty and it's fun to come up with new ways to incorporate the colors and elements. This cake was for Olivia, who turned 5. I worked with Olivia's mom a few years back and we were pregnant at the same time. I imagine our boss was thrilled to have two of us on maternity at the same time. Oh, well.
Olivia's mom wanted fondant swags and a Hello Kitty figure. The HK is RKT (a little fat). The cake is chocolate vanilla marble with chocolate buttercream.

Elmo Sesame Street Cake

This cake was for Carolina (LOVE that name! We almost named both our daughters that, but alas, other names won out), who turned 2. Her favorite Sesame Street characters are Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby. Elmo's body is cake, but his head and limbs are RKT. The rest of the decorations are fondant and gumpaste.

Green Orchid Cake

A 50th birthday cake for my husband's business partner. Green orchids are made from gumpaste/fondant, wrapped in satin ribbon. Cakes were red velvet and carrot with vanilla filling.

Star Wars Cake

A Star Wars cake for Coleman, who apparently loves Darth Maul. His mom wanted a positive influence as well, so Yoda made it on there, too.

 

The cake was dark chocolate with cookie butter filling.