Hello.

Thought I would drop in, say hello, and let you know that there wont be any fun posts today. Im setting up my NYE table, and baking some NYE goodies! David and I are having a nice, cozy evening at home, but I'm still going to make it special. Stay tuned for photos of our NYE!

Bring it on 2011!!


While I'm on the subject, anyone care to share some resolutions?? What is on your mind for 2011??

March of the Penguins

I wanted to make a fun wintery appetizer for my family's holiday festivities. I had found a picture of these online, but I cant seem to find the original source. Check out these fun penguins!
Are they adorable or what?
They take a little time to make, but I think its totally worth the effort.
Ingredients:
1 can large or jumbo whole pitted black olives
1 can small whole pitted black olives
Carrots
Cream Cheese, softened
Toothpicks

Directions:
1. Peel and slice carrots into about 1/4 inch thick slices
2. Cut a small "pie slice" from the carrot slices, reserve all pieces
3. Take the large olives and cut a slit in them.
4. Using a pastry bag, pipe cream cheese into olives. This is what creates the white belly. I used a #12 tip.
5. Take a small olive, at the X in the bottom, put the "pie slice" of carrot in, creating a beak.
6. Stack small olive on top of large olive, and then on top of carrot slice that is missing the "pie piece".
7. Push toothpick through to secure. Admire the cuteness!!

Peppermint Truffles

I am obsessed with truffles lately. For my recent holiday party I made these peppermint truffles. They were easy to do, and a huge hit at the party! I think I may be addicted myself.
Supplies:
Silicone Shapes Baking Pan (I used a square "brownie" pan from Wilton, but any shape will do. The silicone is important as it will be easy to push your truffles out of the mold)
Small Sturdy, preferably new paint brush

Peppermint Ganache:
(You will prepare the ganache first as it needs time to set.)
9 oz. of white chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
2-3 tablespoons peppermint extract

1. Place chocolate in a heat proof bowl. If you bought a bar, make sure its chopped up
2. In a saucepan heat heavy cream until it reaches a soft boil.
3. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate
4. Stir to melt all of the chocolate into the cream
5. Add peppermint extract to your preferred minty taste
6. Refrigerate until set, usually 1-2 hours.

Creating Truffles:
1-2 bags of Candy Melts, your choice of color. I used Wilton Color Blast.

1. Melt candy however you prefer. I prefer to melt an entire bag at once and hold it in my Wilton Candy Melter. However, if you do not have one, you should melt your candy about 1/2 a bag at a time.
2. Fill each well of silicone baking pan about 1/4 of the way up.
3. Take your paint brush, and dipping into the remaining chocolate, paint the sides of each cavity.
4. Place in freezer for 5 minutes to set.
5. Remove from freezer and repeat painting the sides until sides are opaque. I had to paint mine three times.
6. Once ganache is set and cavities are painted, spoon about half a tablespoon of ganache into each cavity.
7. Cover with remaining melted candy. Using the paint brush, make sure to spread to each side and corner to create a seal. It also helps to keep it somewhat smooth as this will be the bottom of your truffle.
8. Return to freezer for 5 minutes until final layer of candy is set.
9. Gently push each truffle out of silicone pan.
10. Enjoy! You can also use things like luster dust or royal icing to create designs or shimmer on top of your truffles.

DIY: Glitter Snowflake Hurricane

At my recent holiday party I made some simple glittered hurricanes for my dessert table. They were fun and easy to make so I thought I would share how.
Supplies:
Vase (I used vases from the Dollar Store)
Glitter Glue
Paper snowflakes (I cut some with my cricut, but you could cut your own or print off the computer)
Tape
Candle

Step 1: Tape paper snowflakes inside the vase.

Step 2: Trace over snowflakes on the outside of the vase with glitter glue.
Step 3: Allow glue to dry, then gently remove snowflakes from inside the vase.
Step 4: Place candle inside and enjoy your glittery snowy hurricane!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a warm, safe and Happy Holiday!

Holiday Party

Before we head off to celebrate the holiday this weekend, I wanted to share my recent holiday party. This is also my December challenge party. Only one party left in my challenge!
(I apologize in advance for the poor photography, the lighting in this room is just awful!)
My inspiration was sparked by the Mod Candy Cane Printables (which I used!) over at The Celebration Shoppe.
I loved the ice blue, red and white combination. I've also been dying to try the hanging buffet idea I saw over at Nesting Newbies. Those two ideas, plus my latest obsession with argyle, lead to my dessert table.



I made the wreath myself with yard, felt, ribbon and a glittery ornament.
Which then inspired these fun gingerbread/sugar cookie wreaths!

Some other goodies on the menu were gingerbread, sugar cookie minis, Eggnog Trifles, White Chocolate Candy Cane Martinis, various holiday candies, and my favorite, peppermint truffles.
I also made a Holiday Photo Booth with printable props from Paper and Cake! Here are a couple of my favorite shots:

Melinda and Kelly

Me and Heather

Hope everyone has a happy, fun and safe holiday!

Red Velvet Peppermint Fudge Cupcakes

If you saw yesterday's sneak peek post, you saw these cupcakes. Red Velvet Peppermint Fudge. Oooooh yeaaaaahhhh....
I made these for a few holiday parties this month and they were a huge hit! Its easy peasy too!

Ingredients:
Red Velvet Cupcakes (I made mine with a Duncan Hines Box mix, as directed)
Hot Fudge
Peppermint Extract
Crushed Peppermints
Cream Cheese Icing

Directions:
1. Bake cupcakes as directed on the box.
2. Once cupcakes are cooled, take a melon baller, or spoon, and scoop out a little "well" in the center of the cupcake.
3. Warm up your hot fudge in the microwave, as directed. I didn't actually measure it out, but for 2 dozen cupcakes, I'm guessing I needed about 3/4-1 cup of fudge.
4. Pour your hot fudge into a bowl (unless you want to flavor the whole container).
5. Stir in a teaspoon of peppermint extract
6. Spoon peppermint fudge into the cupcake wells
7. Top with cream cheese icing and sprinkle with crushed peppermint!

Its a quick, easy, "sounds fancy" dessert for your holiday parties!

Want to get those red swirls in your icing? Before filling your pastry bag, take a brush, dip it in red gel food coloring and paint stripes up the inside of your bag. 4-5 stripes will do. Fill your bag as normal and squeeze! The first few are usually really really red, but as you go on, they look more and more "pepperminty" Yes, that is a word. I've decided so.
Enjoy!!

Holiday Party Sneak Peek!

I know I've been MIA for a few weeks, but I wanted to let you know that I shall return!
Here is a sneak peek from my recent holiday party...

Details, DIY, and more holiday fun to follow!

Whoooo Loves You?!

Recently I was asked to do owl cookies for a friend's mother. She is a big fan of owls and her birthday was coming up. Check them out....

I have to admit, I loved these birds! Especially the mini ones!

M.I.A.

I have to apologize for being MIA for nearly 2 weeks now.
Unfortunately, Fairytale Frosting is not my full time job. *sigh*
My full time job has offered me some very very rare overtime, and I decided to take it. I mean, who can't use a little extra cash at Christmas right?
I have been working night shift for a few days now, and without Internet access, so some things like my blog have become neglected.
Thank you for being patient with me!

With that said, I have a busy few weeks ahead of me and wont have nearly as much fun ideas and creations to post. So I am going to try something new.....I would like to post some of YOUR ideas!!!

Would you like to be featured? Since we are in the midst of Christmas season I'd love to see what you do during this time of year! I am looking for parties, desserts, and DIY inspiration. If you have something fun to share, send me the photos! Please email: fairytalefrosting(at)gmail.com
In the subject line put "Winter Submissions"
Please include a little about yourself, the photos your submitting and how I can contact you.

I have been blessed to have my work featured on other blogs, so I thought now would be a great time to "pay it forward".

I cant wait to see what you've all come up with!

I am also a supporter of Etsy.com. If you are a shop owner and would like to be featured, please email me and we can discuss feature options.

Don't worry, I've got a few posts up my sleeves for you, but I also want others to have the opportunity to shine!