Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Green Velvet Cheesecake Shamrocks


red velvet, cheesecake, brownie, dessert, st. patty's day, st. patrick's day, green
These little babies are so easy to put together and they make a big impact. All those pretty swirls and shapes make you like them even before you taste them!
What you need:
1. Shamrock Cookie Cutter – I got mine online because I like free shipping and not having to go to the store! But I know that Michaels carries them this time of year.
2. 10 x 15 Jelly Roll Pan – I found one at Target for $12 a couple years ago. But they also have those on Amazon for you other lazy bakers out there.

Print
red velvet, cheesecake, brownie, dessert, st. patty's day, st. patrick's day, green

Green Velvet Cheesecake Shamrocks


Yield: 16 shamrocks
Recipe Note: As the recipe says, I used a 10x15 jelly roll pan. You can try to squeeze it into a 9x13 pan...but you will probably have to throw away a little of the batter.

ingredients:

Green Velvet Layer:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons milk, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon green food coloring
1 1/2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
Cheesecake Layer:
12 oz (1 1/2 packages) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10 x 15 jelly roll pan with butter or spray with Baker's Joy.
In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla extract, green food coloring, and white vinegar.
Combine the dry and wet ingredients, until completely combined (the batter will be thick). Remove 1/2 cup of the batter and place it in a medium bowl. Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon of milk (into the 3/4 cup of batter you just took out). Set aside the 3/4 cup batter.
Pour the remaining batter into the prepared jelly roll pan. Using a spatula, smooth out the batter to reach all the edges.
Now, in your stand mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until combined and there are no lumps. Pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the green velvet layer and smooth mixture till it reaches all the edges.
Drop spoonfuls of the remaining red velvet batter (that you mixed with milk) onto the top of the cheesecake layer. Drag the tip of a knife through the green velvet and the cheesecake layers to create swirls.
Bake for 23-25 minutes, rotating half way through, or just until the center is set and it no longer jiggles. Let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. Use a medium sized shamrock cookie cutter to create the perfect St Patty's Day treat!


Thursday, February 16, 2012

Our Services...

Uptown-Soirée
Uptown Soirée (swah-ray) is a full service Event Planning Company. We are creative professionals here to help define your vision and design an event that showcases your personality and sense of style, allowing you the convenience of relaxing during the planning process and enjoying the unforgettable experience you and your guests will love!


Day Of Coordinator
Complimentary consultation (up to 1 hour) 
Two in-person consultation (up to 1 hour ea) 
Review contracts 
Contact vendors one month prior to wedding 
1 hour of personal service at rehearsal 
Unlimited wedding guidance (contact via email/phone) 
Coordinate/generate event timeline & venue diagram 
Handle distribution of payments to vendors (1 week prior or on day of wedding) 
Finalize details with vendors (1 week prior to wedding) 
Distribute final timeline to all vendors 
Overseeing ceremony & reception set-up 
8-10 hours of personal service on the day of wedding 
1 Assistant 


Full Service Coordinator
Day of Coordination included 
Additional two-in person consultation meeting (up to 1 hour) 
Etiquette advice 
Referral to reputable vendors 
Create budget along with plan to envision your ideas 
Coordinate meetings/appointments with vendors accordingly to brides & grooms schedule 
One visit to ceremony & reception site prior to wedding for final walk-through 
Reserving rehearsal dinner location

À La Carte 

Ceremony & Reception set-up services only 
Bridal shower set-up & coordination 
After wedding services 
Additional assistants


Additional Services
Corporate Events 
Holiday Parties 
Birthday Parties 
Baby Showers 




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day Sweets

Valentine's Day Ideas
valentine's day dessert buffet
Need some inspiration for your Valentine’s Day party dessert table? Check out this latest dessert bar creation by Amy Atlas… which can only be described as absolutely pink-a-licious!
Goodies included: a macaron tower (so cute!), ruffled buttercream cake and cupcakes, pink favor boxes tied up with pretty satin ribbon, and lots of pink candy! For a nostalgic feel, Amy also included strawberry milk in “Be Mine” glasses.
valentine's day dessert buffet
The lovely bubblegum pink, light pink, & pale gray table (which was created for a segment on Better TV) featured a “Key to My Heart” theme, which was played up through the adorable key-topped cupcakes and “Love is the key to my Heart” candy bar wrappers.
valentine's day dessert buffet
All of the paperie elements were designed by Wiley Valentine, and Patti Paige of Baked Ideas created the elegant key cupcakes and heart cookies.
valentine's day dessert buffet
Rock candy sticks and meringue cookies always make for such a pretty display…
valentine's day dessert buffet
Here’s a great shot of the adorable macaron tower… (this concept would be so cute for Christmas too!)
valentine's day dessert buffet
More eye candy shots…
valentine's day dessert buffet
valentine's day dessert buffet
Thanks again to Amy for yet another sweet dose of creative inspiration, and to the ladies at Belathee Photographyfor the gorgeous images!
Post Courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess

Happy Valentine's Day

it's Valentine's Day! Soooo.....