Here Comes the Bride...

Thank you to all the brides who came out this weekend! My mom and I had such great response and for it being my first wedding show, I enjoyed every moment of it! Thank you to Pauline, Laura and my sister, Jessica for coming out and helping us! Here are a few pics from the show...

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Beginning of a New Year

The New Year is a good time to look back on the previous year to remember all the moments and events that were woven into its tapestry. I can't believe that my first full year as an enterpreneur is already behind me. This past year, Delicately Sweet was a part of many birthday parties, bridal showers, weddings, farmers markets and Seattle's first cupcake camp and contest. I am looking forward to what new adventures await in 2011!

For the first event of the year, I will be participating in my first ever wedding show at the Everett Wedding Expo on January 15th and 16th. I will be sharing a booth with my mom who is representing Bridal Elegance & Alterations, her business of 14 years. If you are engaged or know someone who is please come and check us out at the show. We look forward to seeing you there!

*For more information about the show and Bridal Elegance check out their websites below.

http://www.nwbridalshowcase.com/

http://bridaleleganceandalterations.com/Site/Welcome.html

Natalie and Curtis' Wedding November 28th, 2010

It was a joy to be a part of Natalie and Curtis' special day. It all began at the Hotel Andra in Seattle where the bridal party got ready for the day. Pictures were taken as we strolled through downtown Seattle. It was a perfectly, gorgeous clear day! Unusual for us Seattlites. The wedding site was at the Lake Union Cafe, a beautiful venue with art deco embellishments throughout. They served red velvet and pumpkin cupcakes with a hummingbird bride and groom cake. Catered by Delicately Sweet.

Pictures courtesy of Lucid Captures Photography

French Macarons

French Macrons are quickly becoming the next greatest thing to have at weddings and parties. They are sweet and elegant for such the affair. My friend Tiffany told me about a class at Sur la Table all on making these elegant sweets so, of course I had to sign up. We learned the 'dos and don'ts' of making these dainty cookies and surprisingly found them not so complicated to make. These are pictures from our class. Enjoy and Bon Appetit!

Coconut Rum Macarons

Step 1 - Beginning to whisk the eggs to their

stiff peaks consistency.

Step 2 - Gently fold in sugar and almond meal

being careful to keep the batter light and fluffy.

Step 3 - Folding until it becomes like the

consistency of 'magma'.

Step 4 - Pipe batter from a pastry bag onto

parchment lined baking sheets. We used a

template underneath to practice just the perfect

sizing.

Step 5 - Let the macarons stand for 15 minutes

before baking.

Step 6 - Beginning the Rum Cream filling

- heat and whisk egg whites and sugar to 141 degrees.

I'm using the infrared thermometer to check

periodically.

Step 7 - Take egg whites off heat and whisk on

high till stiff peaks. Then gradually add the butter.

Step 8 - Mix in flavoring (we used rum for ours,

but you can try almost anything).

Step 9 - Bake macarons for about 8 minutes

in a double pan until the top has 'popped'.

Step 10 - Now they are ready to be filled!

In this pic my friend Tiffany trying her

hand at the piping.

Here are a few pics of our classes finished products.

We made Coconut Rum, Green Tea, Chocolate Cream

and Raspberry.

Happy with our sweet and dainty

macarons :)

They can make cute favors for a wedding or party.

Package them in clear plastic bags and tie with

a fun ribbon.

Whoopie Pies

My newest love... Whoopie Pies! I've been hearing about this craze for awhile now and decided it was time to try it out. If you haven't heard of a whoopie pie before they are a cake like cookie with a marshmellow cream sandwiched in between. The one pictured here is Chocolate with Blackberry Cream. One word... delish :)

Weddings

I did my first wedding this Summer. The bride and groom had an outdoor wedding on the water near Port Angeles. It turned out to be a beautiful day for the happy couple. They decided on apple pies and mini mixed berry tarts.

Summer Happenings

It was such a busy Summer with vacations, weddings, Farmers Markets which left only a few lazy days. This summer I wanted to bring my sweets out into the public so, I tried out bringing cupcakes to a couple local Farmer's Markets. I have to say that it was a lot of work, but so fun! I think the best part of the whole experience was seeing the smiles on all the patrons faces, old and young, as they enjoyed their cupcakes. :) Here are a few pics from the days at the market...

My mom... faithful helper.

My nieces and sister came to help out at one of the

last markets.