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Sophisticated S’Mores

May 30, 2011 By + 18 Comments

“I THINK EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE A BLOWTORCH.”  Julia Child

Sophisticated S'Mores | From My Sweet Heart

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

This is an exciting day for 2 reasons.  The first is that my son, Jeff, left this morning as part of a group of meteorologists, who will be storm chasing in the midwest.  I am not sure where he will be over the next couple of weeks yet, but I pray that he will stay safe while having the experience of a lifetime.  The second is that I got to use my new kitchen blowtorch!  Very cool.  And much easier than trying to put something under the broiler while watching it carefully!

THESE S’MORES ARE YUMMLY!!!  You really do get all your favorite, familiar flavors from a S’more…the buttery graham cracker crust, a very decadent, creamy, chocolate center, and a light, sweet, marshmallowy top.  It’s just a little more sophisticated.   Oh, and let me tell you about the booze…… [Read more...]

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Pancake Souffle Muffins with Strawberry Maple Syrup

May 29, 2011 By + 7 Comments

“HE WHO GOES TO BED HUNGRY DREAMS OF PANCAKES.”  Maltese Proverb

Pancake Souffle Muffins with Strawberry Maple Syrup | From My Sweet Heart

 

Well now.  Anyone who truly knows me, knows that my thinking and my dreams are rarely conventional!  And so I was happy to have stumbled upon a recipe for these savory sweet creations! They are a perfect combination of the taste of a pancake, with the texture of a souffle, all in the compact little shape of a muffin!

Very easy to make, and again, I love making recipes that lend themselves to variation.  I added cinnamon to the batter.  But still, they are not very sweet.  Which is good, because the pure maple syrup and strawberries add plenty of richness.  And the  ‘muffins’ are nice and light.  Here is where my unconventional mind is going with these…….. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast/Brunch, Donuts, Muffins and More, Sweet and Savory Offerings Tagged With:

Iced Berries in Warm White Chocolate Cream

May 25, 2011 By + 7 Comments

“SIMPLICITY IS THE ULTIMATE SOPHISTICATION.”  Leonardo DaVinci

Iced Berries in Warm White Chocolate Cream | From My Sweet Heart

Sometimes the simple pleasures are the best.  And there are some things in their natural form that just can’t be improved upon.  Like biting into a peach on a hot summer day and feeling the juice trickle down your chin onto your favorite white tee shirt!

Well sometimes in the middle of the week, you need a pick me up.  A dessert which feels a little more special than a bowl of berries, but which doesn’t take a lot of time.  This treat is sublime!  From the joyous clink of the berries, like ice cubes, into the glass….to the sweet rich cream which bathes and warms them back to their soft, sweet state.

I hope you will try this.  The possibilities for variation are many!  Switch up your chocolate, or berries, or add spice or liqueur.  Just kick back, relax and enjoy!

And the recipe along with a picture of my favorite flower…..follows…… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Berries, Fruity & Fun Tagged With: , ,

Boston Creme Cupcakes

May 23, 2011 By + 15 Comments

“DON’T BE DISMAYED AT GOOD-BYES.  A FAREWELL IS NECESSARY BEFORE YOU CAN MEET AGAIN.  AND MEETING AGAIN, AFTER MOMENTS OR LIFETIMES, IS CERTAIN FOR THOSE WHO ARE FRIENDS.”  Richard Bach

Boston Creme Cupcakes | From My Sweet Heart

HaPpY BiRtHdAy MiKe!!!

I have an amazing story to tell you.  At least it’s amazing and special to me.  I recently had the occasion to have cocktails with my high school sweetheart.  What’s so amazing you ask?  It’s just that we have not seen each other in nearly 35 years!!!

I truly believe that nothing in life is random.  And that everything happens for a reason.  And I am trying to understand why I am given this second chance at friendship.  For me, I think I know.  I struggle to understand how some can take friendship for granted; or worse, can let go so easily after investing much time and emotion.  But second chances of this magnitude don’t come along every day.  And so it is that I know, despite what time has passed, that this is a friendship I will treasure and nurture for all the days of my life.  Mike recently suggested that I get back to our roots and make a Boston Creme Pie.  So here’s  to prom pictures and pansies and Boston Creme Cupcakes and many more birthday celebrations to come…..and to many, many more years of friendship! [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cupcake Heaven, Simple Tagged With: , ,

Petit Fours

May 8, 2011 By + 19 Comments

“THERE IS AN ENDURING TENDERNESS IN THE LOVE OF A MOTHER TO A SON THAT TRANSCENDS ALL OTHER AFFECTIONS OF THE HEART.”  Washington Irving

Petit Fours | From My Sweet Heart

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

I’m sitting here with my lower lip out because this day just isn’t the same without Jeff and Matt here.  I think Mother’s Day should be moved to the summer, when my guys will be back from school.  I’m not sure if I am really missing them, or if I am just missing the opportunity to have yard work done or my car cleaned inside and out!  (I am usually good for milking whatever work I can from them on this day!)  So to make myself feel better, I made some little cakes!  These are sweet and simple.  But let me tell you what I learned about working with the fondant icing….. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Little Cakes, Petite sweets Tagged With: , , , ,

Blueberry-Vanilla Cream Cheese Hand Pies

May 7, 2011 By + 6 Comments

“A MOTHER IS A PERSON WHO SEEING THERE ARE ONLY FOUR PIECES OF PIE FOR FIVE PEOPLE, PROMPTLY ANNOUNCES SHE NEVER DID CARE FOR PIE.”  Tenneva Jordan

Blueberry Vanilla Cream Cheese Hand Pies | From My Sweet Heart

 Well the bad news is, it is Mother’s Day weekend and my guys are once again away at school.  The good news is, this recipe makes 10 hand pies and there’s only one of me!!!  This is a perfect Saturday morning recipe.  It is quick and easy and amazing in flavor!  I love, love, love blueberries!  And I will be using them a lot as spring turns into summer.

But this recipe is simple and  delicious!  The pies are incredibly light given the buttery, flaky crust and the amount of blueberries and cream cheese packed inside of them.  They come together quickly, but the end result is something pretty special.  I hope you will give them a try and feel free to mix and match berries and liqueur.  Yum! [Read more...]

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Chocolate Risotto

May 1, 2011 By + 14 Comments

“PUT ‘EAT MORE CHOCOLATE’ AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST OF THINGS TO DO TODAY.  THAT WAY, AT LEAST YOU’LL GET ONE THING DONE.”  Author Unknown

Chocolate Risotto | From My Sweet Heart

Today, I awoke, literally with this recipe on my mind! I have never attempted risotto before because I have always imagined it to be a complicated process.  But I first saw this chocolate risotto recipe made on one of the cooking shows featuring David Rocco.  And he actually had 2 young kids helping him make it.  So I thought, how difficult could this be?  Let me tell you…..it was a cinch!  Tender rice covered with sweet, rich chocolate and topped with toasted walnuts.  I’ve been wanting to share it with everyone for some time.  And so today, it just seemed like  ‘it’s now or never’! [Read more...]

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