Feeling lucky …. Eat dessert



Ghirardelli Chocolate Cake

             Happy New Year! This is the best time of the year to close the door on the past and seek a fresh start with the ringing in of the New Year. If you aren’t comfortable leaving it up to fate, inspiration many seek a bit of luck by eating a meal filled with lucky items including dessert.

            Although it is significant to eat a lucky meal on New Years day I believe one can find a little bit of luck by eating lucky all week especially the dessert. Food items considered lucky an often part of the New Year’s Day meal are grapes, legumes (often black-eyed peas), cooked greens, noodles, pork, fish and cake and/or other baked round items.

            Cakes and other ringed shaped items are considered lucky because many cultures believe it symbolizes the “coming full circle,” which is part of completing a year’s cycle. Also, goodies and treats can be baked into a cake to bring extra luck to the person who finds them. If one finds a coin inside their piece of cake it will signify wealth or prosperity.

            In other countries, for example, the Dutch, believe eating donuts are New Year’s Day will bring the person good fortune.

            So ring in the New Year and remember if you’re feelin’ a bit lucky, eat cake.

 Ghirardelli Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

Cake:

6 oz. Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate

½ cup Boiling Water

1 Cup Soft Butter

1 ½ cups Sugar

4 Egg Yolks

4 Egg Whites

1 Tsp. Vanilla

½ Tsp. Salt

1 Tsp. Baking Soda

2 ½ Cups Sifted Cake Flour

1 Cup Buttermilk

Frosting:

3 Tbs. Butter

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1/8 Tsp. Salt

½ Tsp. Vanilla

4 Tbs. Hot Milk

½ Small Carton Whipping Cream

Directions:

Melt chocolate in boiling water. Cool. Cream Butter and sugar until light add egg yolks, one at a time, beating until very smooth. Add chocolate and vanilla. Sift flour, salt and soda. Add alternately with buttermilk to chocolate mixture, beating well after each addition. Beat egg whites stiff, then fold into batter. Pour batter into 3 greased 8- or 9-inch cake pans. Bake in 350-degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. After cooling, frost.

Frosting: Melt chocolate over top of a double boiler. Cream butter and sugar together. Add chocolate, vanilla and salt. Add enough of the milk to make good spreading consistency. Spread frosting between the bottom and top 2 layers and sides of cake. Whip cream until stiff and spread on top layer. Garnish with shaved chocolate.

- Recipe courtesy of “A Collection of the Very Finest Recipes ever assembled into one Cookbook” by Becker Publications, Inc. (1979)

Last minute suggestions



Rocky Road Fudge Bars



The holidays are upon us with Hanukkah starting today with Christmas and Kwanzaa to follow a few days later. I have a suggestion for that last minute Hanukkah or Christmas gift or still seeking a dessert idea – think small.

Bite size desserts as a gift or for that special family/friend meal might be the best last minute decision you can make. The National Restaurant Association ranked “bite-size/mini-desserts": as the second most popular trend in 2011 following artisan/home-made ice cream.

You can turn your favorite dessert – cake, pies, etc. - into mini treats. Whether you enjoy the traditional flavors of the season as gingerbread, cranberry, apple, pumpkin, chocolate, salted caramel, peanut butter or cheesecake these mini treats will pack a punch and leave those you love with wonderful memories.

One favorite dessert I like serve during the holiday season is Rocky Road Fudge Bars. A variety of recipes can be found in many cookbooks or on food websites but my favorite is the one created by Pillsbury.  Or if you are looking for something fun to do with the kids try turning your kitchen in a winter wonderland with delicious holiday cookies. Annually, the pastry chefs and innkeepers of Select Registry Distinguished Inns of North America has released their annual Holiday Cookie Compendium offering wonderful cookie recipes. This year’s selections do not disappoint with Cocoa Christmas Cookies, Caramel White Chocolate Bars, Small Gingerbread Cakes with Chocolate Ganache, eggnog muffins and so much more. You can find these recipes at http://blog.selectregistry.com/2011/best-holiday-desserts.

Finally, if cooking is not your thing but you want to still purchase a gift card its not too late or want to give a great mini dessert as gifts or serve at your next holiday party visit Sweet Petit Desserts.

Have a great Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa!

Drink and Be Merry

            Dessert wines are a great addition to any classic or modern Christmas or New Year’s celebration. The variety of flavors – spices, pecan, custards or a variety of dried or sweeten fruit or other exotic flavors can be found in many of the desserts such as apple pies, sweet potato and puddings such as plum, custard or bread – served this year.

            As you plan for your holiday dinner or parties choosing the right wine can be a little daunting but remember whether you are serving petite or traditional desserts the fun is selecting the right wine that will satisfy all of your guests. Here a few helpful hints with the help of Saveur.com:

            · Pair moderately sweet dessert wines such as Muscat with pumpkin pies or bread pudding.

            · Serve champagne or sparkling wine with almost any dessert, except for desserts with dark, bitter chocolate.

            · Riesling, Sauterne, Gewurztraminer or iced apple wine are excellent with apple pie or plum cake.

            · If you are drinking Port, sherry or Gewurztraminer these wines pair well with gingersnaps or pumpkin pie.

            · Port is excellent with dark chocolates or chocolate desserts

            · Fruity wines such pair well with buttery or creamy desserts such as cheesecakes or shortbread

Christmas is in the air!

This is my favorite time of the year! I know many of you are gearing up for holiday parties.  Don't forget those who take care of your weekly trash, bring you your mail daily, those wonderful teachers who have our children most of the day, the stylist who help keep you all together, that co-worker who has always been so thoughtful, and just anyone who has made life a little bit easier for you.  Good cheer is always in order and giving is a nice thing to do no matter what.  So as you're planning for those holiday parties and gifts we can provide some really tasty treats that can be boxed in wonderful packaging and delivered to your guests or simply shipped.  Go to our website www.sweetpetitdesserts.com and see all the delicious photos.  Our red velvet cake pops would make a great gift and are will be available in Busken Bakery starting this Wednesday!  If you have questions we're just a phone call or email away.  Let's enjoy the holiday season!

Holiday Time!

It's that time of year where we all start to think
of the holidays and if pumpkin or sweet potato
is your thing then get ready to indulge in some
pumpkin cheesecake or sweet potato tarts. 
How about a tasty mousse in either flavor as well. 
Check out our menu and we can certainly customize
any dessert for your holiday dinner or parties.  Don't forget Christmas is drawing even closer so small treat boxes or gift certificates are always in order.  Check out our website www.sweetpetitdesserts.com or facebook page for this months fantastic special.

Art on the Levee Show with some wonderful desserts!

Sweet Petit Desserts did a wonderful display for the Artist featured with a touch of color.  Featured were our wonderful petit fours, cheesecake pops, vanilla bites with orange icing, and our key lime.  There were also some delicious sushi and some wonderful wine to compliment it all.  It was a great time to see how local artist have captured some beautiful pictures while indulging in great conversation with bite size food to set off the taste buds.  In life we must take a moment to breathe and take in the beauty of the world through the lens of those who know how to capture it.  I would definitely say Sweet Petit Desserts strives to reach the taste buds of those who enjoy a small sweet treat and not only make your stomach happy, but allow you to enjoy each ingredient as it hits your tongue.  Until next time....enjoy life!

Internet Lounging with Tasty Cookie Treats

            Coffee, Tea or a Sweet Petit Dessert cookie is all you need when you are lounging around sipping a good cup of coffee and surfing the web. If you happen to be in Clifton Heights area and looking for a place to have a smooth cup of Joe, surf the web and have a friendly conversation stop on by Cliqq & Sip Internet Lounge. There all your internet and coffee needs can be met and you will find delicious Sweet Petit Dessert cookies as well.

            You never know where Sweet Petit Desserts will appear next but if you are in need of little pick me up or sugar rush stop on by. For more information check out Cliqq & Sip Internet Lounge at www.cliqqandsip.com or want to know more about Sweet Petit Desserts visit us at http://www.sweetpetitdesserts.com

Cake Pop Craving

            Is work keeping you really busy? Are you feeling more like a chauffer than a mom or dad? I say indulge that craving for something small, quick and yummy by visiting your local Busken Bakery and grab a cake pop or two.

            The yummy goodness will not cure what ails you but it will provide you with a sweet petit moment of peace and deliciousness. There is a wide variety to select from at all 18 Busken retail locations and trust me your taste buds will thank you.

            Busken Bakery in partnership with Sweet Petit Desserts started selling the cake pops over two weeks ago in response to the cake pop craze that has capture the natures sweet tooth and is not letting go anytime soon.

            If you miss the cake pops at Busken you can always order from me at http://www.sweetpetitdesserts.com/ or visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sweet-Petit-Desserts

Saks Fifth Avenue and Sweet Petit Desserts

We are happy to announce that Saks Fifth Avenue has partnered and created their signature dessert with Sweet Petit Desserts.  We are excited to be exclusive to Saks with this special cake ball and was the dessert Sponsor at Fashion's Night Out and featured their exclusive dessert!  Saks does many beauty parties throughout the year and their very special clients will get to indulge in this special treat.  So if you'd like to be an exclusive Saks member please visit their downtown store for details.  Saks also had a specialty drink that was paired with their sweet treat that included Champagne!  For more details and to see what's next for SPD go to our fan page on facebook and/or twitter!  Until next time!

Saks Signature Dessert

Busken Bakery partners with Sweet Petit Desserts

Sweet Petit Desserts is so happy to announce that we are now officially partnered with Busken Bakery and have our delicious cake pops in all 18 of their retail stores.  Cake Pops have been a new craze for a few months now and we are so happy to have the opportunity to have tons of customers buy ours at Busken Bakery.  Please don't let that deter you from contacting us directly for them or any of our other delicious treats.  Just log onto   www.sweetpetitdesserts.com and follow us on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Petit-Desserts/181860055913.  We have a few photos of what our cake pops look like, but you have to purchase one to taste the goodness!  Finally, the special drink I would recommend is a glass of cold milk, however it can certainly be paired with your favorite drink!

Elegant Desserts

Elegance is something everyone strives for especially when desserts are involved. The color white is nothing but elegant and challenged me to create small petite treats for an All White Party held during a recent August evening. The host served white-wine punch and a non-alcohol punch for her white attired guests.

The color white is a fun challenge for any host and the desserts needed to accent the elegance of the evening while providing a unique sense of bite size fun. My dessert table represented the party's theme while offering a bit of elegance with gold stemmed candle holders that brought a hint of royalty to the table.

Pink and Black Celebration

This was such a spectacular event at The Syndicate featuring a dessert table and the couples signature drink a white wine Sangria.  Keeping with the theme of the night the dessert table was more citrus desserts, with our infamous red velvet.  As for the drink which is made of white wine and a spritzer with fruit it went well with not only the dessert table, but with the great appetizers that were served.  So when planning your occasion think of how the food, drinks and desserts will complement each other.  Thinking of those little tidbits keep your guests pallet wanting more and trying all that is being offered.

Red Velvet Cake Shake Tasting

Sweet Petit Desserts had their Red Velvet Cake Shake Tasting on last Thursday.  We are happy to report that it was a success and that everyone enjoyed it.  I would like to say thank you for taking the time to come out and sample what is becoming a trend amongst "shake lovers".  So again Kudos and we look forward to the next tasting!  Hummm I wonder what will be next.....

Here are a few comments from our tasters!

• Taste great, liked the texture, need a little more ice cream.
• I want a whole bucket...tasted like oreos!
• Taste great!  Taste like cookies & cream ice cream.  The texture was good.  It reminds me of sipping ice cream.  It wasn't too thick.
• Taste great, like the color, could be a little thicker, can taste the Red Velvet!
• Taste like cookies and cream!
• Free flowing, just enough cake to not get caught in the straw.  Consistency is optimal.  Just sweet enough.  Can taste the whole milk.  Overall, I like it, was a great sensory experience.  P.S. Is Key Lime on the drawing board????
• Make the shake medium thick with an intense cake taste.  Its very good!  Idea:  add alcohol or hint of liqueur.....
• This was great!  It has a very creamy/cookies & cream taste.  Nice....

Push Up Pop

This is a new trend that Sweet Petit Desserts has added to their menu.  What a fun and exciting addition, especially for birthday parties and wedding/shower favors.  So give me a call and we will be happy to customize this just for your event.  Fun stuff!

Welcome to Sweet Petit Desserts Blog!

Sweet Petit Desserts specializes in bite size desserts, bursting with flavor!  One of our most popular desserts is the Key Lime Bars and is our featured dessert of the month and to celebrate 2 years of service, we are offering a 20% discount for the month of July.  Get those orders in by email or calling us.....