Carrot Cupcakes with Lavender Honey Frosting

BELIEVE IT OR NOT BUT EASTER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER SO OF COURSE I HAVE TO MAKE SOME DELICIOUS EASTER DESSERTS! RECENTLY I WAS GIVEN ABSOLUTELY COOL AND BEAUTIFUL MARY & MARTHA PAPER BAKEWARE FROM MY FRIEND TAMMY SO NATURALLY I HAD TO THINK OF SOMETHING TO BAKE IN THEM.  THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT COLOR COMBOS WITH THIS BAKEWARE BUT I ASKED FOR THE ORANGE/PURPLE/GRAY SET BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SOMETHING WITH CARROTS FOR EASTER =)

ALSO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME, KNOW THAT I LOVE ORANGE AND PURPLE TOGETHER SO THAT SET WAS PERFECT FOR ME! MY WEDDING COLORS WERE ORANGE BECAUSE IT'S RYAN'S FAVORITE COLOR AND GREEN AND PURPLE BECAUSE THOSE WERE MY FAVORITE COLORS. (MY TASTE HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS THOUGH AND NOW I REALLY ONLY LIKE GREEN AS A FAVE COLOR BUT NOT JUST ANY KIND OF GREEN... I LIKE THE YELLOW-Y GREEN LIKE CITRINE OR CHARTREUSE TO BE EXACT, HAHA.) ANYWAYYYYYS, BELOW IS A PICTURE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL AFGHAN THAT MISS CHRIS (A LADY I KNOW FROM MAIN STREET BAPTIST CHURCH) MADE FOR US AS A WEDDING GIFT. SHE KNEW WE LOVED ORANGE, PURPLE AND GREEN SO IT WAS SUCH A SWEET AND THOUGHTFUL GIFT AND IS DEFINITELY MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BLANKET! JUST THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE =)

BACK TO THE BEAUTIFUL BAKEWARE... AS I WAS THINKING OF WHAT I COULD MAKE IN THESE FOR EASTER I THOUGHT OF AN UNUSAL PAIRING. CARROTS OF COURSE FOR THE ORANGE AND THEN I THOUGHT MAYBE USING LAVENDER (LIKE THE DRIED FLOWER) WOULD BE DIFFERENT AND FUN. I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS EXPERIMENTING AT FIRST BECAUSE I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF CARROTS AND LAVENDER WAS A COMMON DESSERT COMBO BUT I COULDN'T FIND ANY RECIPES REALLY. I DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH IT ANYWAYS AND WAS GLAD I DID! I CAME UP WITH A RECIPE TO MAKE CARROT CUPCAKES WITH LAVENDER HONEY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. (FOR THE RECIPE SCROLL DOWN) THEY REALLY TURNED OUT SO DELICIOUS!

MY FRIEND TAMMY WHO IS A CONSULTANT FROM MARY & MARTHA GAVE ME OTHER BEAUTIFUL M&M PRODUCTS SO I COULD DO A FUN PHOTO SHOOT WITH THEM. IF YOU NEVER HAVE HEARD OF MARY & MARTHA YOU REALLY SHOULD LOOK INTO IT BECAUSE EVERYTHING THEY MAKE IS SO GOSH DARN LOVELY!  THE PAPER BAKEWARE WAS ALSO A TON OF FUN BAKING IN AND SO EASY AND CUTE! THEY COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPES, SIZES AND COLORS AND CAN BE HEATED UP TO 400 DEGREES! AS YOU SCROLL THROUGH THE PICTURES YOU WILL SEE ALL THE OTHER  GORGEOUS PRODUCTS AS WELL. THE BREAD BOARD AND TEA TOWEL IS A DEFINITE FAVE OF MINE. I AM A SUCKER FOR SOME GOOD LETTERING AND THE THESE BOTH SHOWCASE THE AMAZING ARTWORK BY LINDSEY LETTERS! THE WHITE CERAMIC MUGS, PITCHER AND CAKE STAND ARE JUST DARLING TOO AND THEY HAVE A LOT MORE ITEMS FROM THAT SAME COLLECTION. WOULDN'T THEY BE GREAT FOR A BIG EASTER DINNER!? I ALSO LOVE THE SUPER CUTE HONEY POT AND THE PRETTY JUTE TABLE RUNNER! OH AND OF COURSE I LOVE THE CHALKBOARD! THEY HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO OFFER TOO SO I TOTALLY RECOMMEND CHECKING TAMMY'S WEBSITE OUT AND BOOKING A PARTY WITH HER IF YOU CAN! THE SPECIAL FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL ARE CUTE JOURNALS THAT ARE ONLY AVAILABLE IN APRIL! YOU CAN VIEW THAT SPECIAL HERE.

SO IF YOU WANT TO BOOK A PARTY YOU CAN EMAIL HER AT LOVEMARYNMARTHA@GMAIL.COM OR YOU CAN CALL HER AT 607-431-8517. ENJOY ALL THE PICTURES AND MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THE RECIPE FOR THE DELICIOUS CUPCAKES BELOW!

BECAUSE I WAS DOING A FULL PHOTO SHOOT I DECIDED TO GO ALL OUT AND TRY MY HAND AT MAKING MACARONS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER SO I COULD HAVE MORE LOVELY ORANGE AND LAVENDER TREATS! I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO MAKE THESE FOR A LONG TIME BUT HAVE BEEN INTIMIDATED BY THE PROCESS AND PRICEY INGREDIENTS. THEY DEFINITELY WERE VERY TEDIOUS TO MAKE AND CERTAINLY LOOK HOMEMADE BUT LET ME TELL YOU THEY WERE DELICIOUS! I HOPE TO MAKE MORE THIS COMING WEEKEND! =) THE RECIPE I FOLLOWED, I FOUND HERE. THE ONLY THING I SUGGEST DOING DIFFERENTLY IS ADD THE COLOR BEFORE YOU START WHIPPING THE EGG WHITES! TRUST ME!  =)

CARROT CUPCAKES WITH LAVENDER HONEY FROSTING

INGREDIENTS:

4 EGGS

3/4 CUP VEGETABLE OIL

1/2 CUP APPLE SAUCE

1 CUP SUGAR

1 CUP BROWN SUGAR

1 8-OZ. CAN OF CRUSHED PINEAPPLES, DRAINED

2 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT

2 CUPS FLOUR

2 TEASPOONS BAKING SODA

2 TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER

1/2 TEASPOON SALT

2 TEASPOONS GROUND CINNAMON

1/4 TEASPOON GROUND NUTMEG

SMALL PINCH OF GROUND CLOVES

3 CUPS GRATED CARROTS

1 CUP SWEETENED COCONUT FLAKES

FROSTING:

1 8-OZ. CREAM CHEESE SOFTENED

2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER SOFTENED

2 CUPS POWDERED SUGAR

1/2 CUP HONEY

1 DROP OF LAVENDER OIL

1/2 TEASPOON VANILLA

3/4 TEASPOON CINNAMON

MILK AS NEEDED

2 TEASPOONS DRIED LAVENDER FOR GARNISH

PECANS OR WALNUTS FOR GARNISH

NOTE: SERIOUSLY ONLY USE ONE DROP OF LAVENDER OIL! IT GOES A LOOOONG WAY! I BOUGHT MINE FROM THE LOCAL HEALTH FOOD STORE. IT ACTUALLY SAYS ON THE BOTTLE FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY, HAHA. BUT I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER AT THE HEALTH FOOD STORE AND HE TOLD ME (UNDER HIS BREATH) THAT I CAN CONSUME VERY SMALL DOSES AT A TIME, LOL. I ATE A COUPLE OF THESE CUPCAKES AND I WAS FINE SO I PROMISE IT WON'T KILL YOU! =) 

DIRECTIONS:

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES. IN A LARGE BOWL, BEAT TOGETHER EGGS, APPLE SAUCE, OIL, SUGARS, PINEAPPLE AND VANILLA. MIX TOGETHER FLOUR, BAKING SODA, BAKING POWDER, SALT, CINNAMON, NUTMEG AND A PINCH OF CLOVES. STIR IN THE CARROTS AND COCONUT FLAKES. LINE A MUFFIN TIN WITH CUPCAKE WRAPPERS OR USE THE CUTE AND EASY BAKEWARE FROM MARY & MARTHA! FILL EACH LINER 3/4 FULL. BAKE IN PREHEATED OVEN FOR 18-20 MIN. LET CUPCAKES COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE FROSTING.

FROSTING:

IN A MEDIUM BOWL COMBINE BUTTER, CREAM CHEESE, POWDER SUGAR, HONEY, VANILLA, CINNAMON AND ONE TINY DROP OF LAVENDER OIL. BEAT UNTIL THE MIXTURE IS SMOOTH AND CREAMY. ADD MILK AS NEEDED. TOP WITH DRIED LAVENDER AND CHOPPED WALNUTS OR PECANS!

ENJOY!

Lemon Blueberry Crepe Cake

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE! THIS COMING SUNDAY IS MY BIRTHDAY WHICH MEANS I WILL BE CELEBRATING THE WHOLE WEEKEND! =) FUNNY THING IS THAT I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM DOING FOR IT ALL! THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS! ONE THING I DO KNOW IS THAT I WANT TO EAT CAKE! SO I DECIDED TO POST AN AMAZING CREPE CAKE RECIPE FROM MY SISTER'S BRIDAL SHOWER ON THIS LOVELY FRIDAY. 

SEVERAL GUESTS FROM THE BERRY THEMED BRIDAL SHOWER BRUNCH HAVE ASKED ME FOR THE RECIPE BUT FIRST I NEED TO BE REAL WITH EVERYONE ABOUT IT. IT'S A LITTLE LABOR INTENSIVE AND IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT FOR A PARTY WHERE YOU WANT IT TO LOOK PRETTY; YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL OF THE STEPS. I MADE A TRIAL CAKE AND IT WAS A SERIOUS FLOP SO I HAD MY AMAZING BROTHER IN LAW'S BROTHER COME TO MY RESCUE WHEN I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT LOOK BEAUTIFUL LIKE ALL THE OTHER CREPE CAKES I HAVE SEEN ON PINTEREST.

SO WHEN I DECIDED TO MAKE A CREPE CAKE, I NEEDED TO FIND A RECIPE TO FOLLOW. THE TYPICAL FIRST PLACE I GO TO FIND A RECIPE IS OBVIOUSLY THE AMAZING MARTHA STEWART. SURE ENOUGH, SHE HAD A RECIPE FOR A  MEYER LEMON CREPE CAKE THAT LOOKED DELICIOUS. I FOLLOWED THE RECIPE (KIND OF) BUT CHANGED IT UP A BIT TO MAKE IT EASIER WHICH ENDED UP NOT BEING EASIER, HAHA. BUT THROUGH SOME HELP, I FOUND THE BEST AND EASIEST WAY TO MAKE THIS BEAUTIFUL CAKE SO KEEP READING =)

FIRST THINGS FIRST: CREPES

I HAVE NEVER MADE CREPES BEFORE SO I KNEW I NEEDED TO FIND SOMEONE TO TEACH ME. THANKFULLY A REALLY GREAT FAMILY FRIEND, WHO I CALL AUNT FRAN, HAS MADE THEM A TON OF TIMES AND WAS SO KIND TO TEACH ME HER WAYS.

I MADE THE CREPE BATTER ACCORDING TO MARTHA STEWART'S RECIPE BUT FOUND WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY FRYING THE CREPES THAT THEY WORK AND LOOK A LOT BETTER WHEN YOU USE MORE FLOUR THAN SUGGESTED. SO I DID ALMOST EQUAL PARTS OF MILK AND FLOUR. INGREDIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS LISTED BELOW

I WATCHED MARTHA'S VIDEO ON HOW TO FLIP A CREPE AND YEAH- THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. SO AUNT FRAN TAUGHT ME AN EASIER WAY. ALL YOU REALLY HAVE TO DO IS POUR ABOUT 1/4 CUP OF CREPE MIXTURE INTO A HEATED AND BUTTERED PAN. NEXT YOU SWIRL AROUND IN THE PAN BY ACTUALLY MOVING AND TILTING THE PAN. YOU ONLY HAVE TO WAIT A MINUTE OR SO UNTIL YOU NEED TO FLIP IT. THIS IS THE HARD PART BUT YOU DO GET USE TO IT. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! SO AUNT FRAN SHOWED ME THAT THE EASIEST WAY TO FLIP A CREPE IS TO TAKE A  RUBBER SPATULA AND STICK IT UNDER THE CREPE ON ALL SIDES TO LOOSEN IT UP THEN YOU PUT THE SPATULA UNDER THE WHOLE CREPE AND FLIP. YOU PROBABLY WILL HAVE TO ADJUST THE CREPE WITH YOUR HANDS TO MAKE SURE IT IS PERFECTLY FLAT IN THE PAN AGAIN.

WE MADE 3 DIFFERENT SIZED CREPES BECAUSE WE WANTED 3 TIERS. IN ORDER TO DO THIS YOU NEED 3 DIFFERENT SIZED SKILLETS. THERE ARE 15 CREPES PER TIER. SO THE CAKE IN THE PICTURE ABOVE HAS A TOTAL OF 45 CREPES. 15 LARGE, 15 MEDIUM AND 15 SMALL. ONCE ALL OF THESE WERE MADE WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THEY COOLED OFF. WE STORED THEM IN THE FRIDGE WITH A PIECE OF WAX PAPER IN BETWEEN EACH CREPE TO MAKE SURE THEY WOULDN'T STICK TOGETHER. I AM VERY THANKFUL I DID THIS, SO DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP!

LEMON CURD MOUSSE:

SO MARTHA HAD A WHOLE LONG PROCESS ON HOW TO MAKE THIS LEMON CURD MOUSSE BUT I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TIME OR ENERGY. I KNOW THAT LEMON CURD IS SOLD IN MOST GROCERY STORES SO I DECIDED TO JUST BUY IT AND THEN TO MAKE IT MOUSSY- I BOUGHT SOME HEAVY CREAM AND WHIPPED IT IN WITH THE CURD. HOWEVER THIS IS WHERE I STARTED TO ROYALLY MESS UP. GO FIGURE, WHEN I THINK I AM ABOUT TO MAKE SOMETHING EASIER, I MAKE IT TEN TIMES HARDER.

ASSEMBLING (THE NIGHTMARE)

A WEEK BEFORE THE SHOWER I DID A TRIAL RUN CAKE WITH AUNT FRAN. WE WERE PRESSED FOR TIME SO AFTER MAKING THE 15 CREPES WE INSTANTLY TOOK OUR LEMON CURD MOUSSE AND STARTED ASSEMBLING WHILE THE CREPES WERE STILL WARM. BIG MISTAKE. AS WE WERE ASSEMBLING, THE CAKE STARTED TO SHIFT AND MOVE AROUND, IT LOOKED AWFUL. WE TRIED PUTTING IT IN THE FREEZER BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. AFTER LETTING IT CHILL WE STILL WANTED TO TRY IT SO WE KNEW WHAT IT WOULD TASTE LIKE AND LET ME TELL YOU- IT WAS HEAVENLY. IT LOOKED AWFUL BUT WAS HEAVENLY.

SO WHAT I TOOK AWAY FROM THE TRIAL RUN WAS TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE WHEN THE CREPES HAVE BEEN CHILLED FOR A LONG WHILE AND I THOUGHT EVERYTHING WOULD BE OKAY. I WAS SORELY WRONG. THE MORNING OF THE SHOWER AT 6AM I START MAKING THE LEMON CURD MOUSSE (CREPES HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE AND WERE IN THE FRIDGE) I STARTED TO ASSEMBLE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE GOING FINE TILL THE MOUSSE STARTED TO WARM UP. THE CAKE STARTED MOVING BY MY 10TH LAYER AND THINGS STARTED TO GET UGLY. I FINISHED THE CAKE AND PUT IT INSTANTLY IN THE FREEZER THINKING IT WOULD BE OKAY AND AFTER 15 MIN I CHECKED ON IT AND IT HAD ALL SLID APART.

MY CAKE SAVIOR

I CALLED MY SISTER IN A PANIC AND SHE TOLD ME SHE WOULD GET A HOLD OF HER BROTHER IN LAW WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL CAKE MAKER. WHY THE HECK I NEVER CALLED HIM THE FIRST TIME DURING THE TRIAL RUN BEWILDERS ME! LIVE AND LEARN I GUESS. WELL HE SHOWED UP THAT MORNING AND ASSESSED THE SITUATION AND REALIZED WHAT I HAD DONE WRONG. APPARENTLY I OVER BEATED THE LEMON CURD MOUUSE AND IN MY OWN MADE UP RECIPE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH GELATIN IN IT TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING. PLUS FREEZING WHIPPED HEAVY CREAM IS NEVER A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE ONCE YOU TAKE IT OUT OF THE FREEZER THE CREAM GETS WATERY. 

SO HERE IS THE TRICK THAT HE DID WHICH MAY HAVE CHANGED THE FLAVOR A TINY BIT BUT REALLY ONLY MADE IT BETTER IF ANYTHING. HE WENT TO THE STORE AND GRABBED THE INSTANT JELLO NO BAKE CHEESECAKE MIX AND ADDED IT TO MY MOUSSE AND LET IT SIT AND THICKEN FOR 15 MIN. IF YOU ACTUALLY FOLLOWED MARTHA STEWART'S FULL RECIPE LIKE I SHOULD HAVE- YOU PROBABLY DON'T NEED TO DO THIS BUT MAKING THE MOUSSE THIS WAY CERTAINLY IS A LOT EASIER THAN HER WAY PLUS HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG WITH CHEESECAKE? =)

THE NEXT THING HE DID WAS HE WENT HOME AND GRABBED ALL HIS ROUND CAKE PANS THAT WERE STRAIGHT SIDED IN ALL DIFFERENT SIZES. THIS IS WHERE I SAW HIS TRUE BRILLIANCE. HE THEN TOOK MY DIFFERENT SIZED CREPES AND MATCHED EACH CAKE TIER UP WITH THE CORRESPONDING CAKE PAN. HE PUT A LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC WRAP IN EACH PAN SO IT OVERLAPPED THE SIDES QUITE A BIT. NEXT HE STARTED TO ASSEMBLE EACH CAKE TIER INSIDE THE CORRESPONDING PAN SO IT WAS PRE FORMED AND WOULDN'T MOVE AROUND AS HE WOULD SPREAD THE MOUSSE IN BETWEEN EACH CREPE! BRILLIANT! SO ONCE HE DID ALL 15 CREPES WITH MOUSSE IN BETWEEN EACH, HE THEN TOOK THE EDGES OF THE PLASTIC WRAP AND WRAPPED IT OVER THE TOP OF THE CAKE. AT THIS POINT HE TOOK THE CAKE PAN AND FLIPPED IT OVER SO IT WAS ON THE PLATE AND IT LOOKED PERFECT. HE DID THIS WITH ALL THREE TIERS.

ONCE ALL THREE TIERS WERE ASSEMBLED AND READY, HE FLASH FREEZED THEM FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR (WE WERE PRESSED FOR TIME- NORMALLY YOU COULD JUST PUT IT IN THE FRIDGE) IT WAS OKAY TO FREEZE THEM NOW SINCE THE CHEESECAKE MIX WAS IN THE MOUSSE AND THICKENED UP THE HEAVY CREAM. 

AT THIS POINT HE STARTED TO ASSEMBLE THE WHOLE CAKE WHICH ALSO WAS BRILLIANTLY DONE. IN THE BOTTOM LAYER OF THE CAKE HE STUCK ABOUT 5 PLASTIC STRAWS IN THE CENTER IN A CIRCLE SLIGHTLY SMALLER IN DIAMETER TO THE MIDDLE LAYER TIER. THE STRAWS WERE CUT SO THEY WOULD ONLY BE STICKING OUT OF THE CAKE BY A CENTIMETER. THEN HE TOOK A ROUND CARDBOARD CUTOUT THAT WAS WRAPPED IN FOIL WHICH WAS SLIGHTLY SMALLER THAN THE MIDDLE TIER AND PLACED THE MIDDLE TIER ON TOP OF THE CARDBOARD AND THEN PLACE THAT ON TOP OF THE CIRCLE OF STRAWS. THIS WAY THE MIDDLE TIER WAS RESTING ON THE STRAWS INSTEAD OF THE BOTTOM LAYER OF CREPES. HE REPEATED THIS FOR THE 3RD TIER. 

AFTER THAT ALL WE HAD TO DO WAS DECORATE WITH BLUEBERRIES AND PUT OUR CUTE LITTLE TISSUE PAPER TASSEL GARLAND THAT MY AUNT MADE RIGHT ON TOP AND IT WAS PERFECT! SO THAT'S THE STORY OF HOW MY GOOD FRIEND, DAVID KROPP SAVED MY LIFE THAT SUNDAY MORNING, HAHA.

BELOW IS THE RECIPE FOR THE CAKE. MAKING ONLY ONE TIER WOULD DEFINITELY BE MUCH EASIER AND LESS TIME CONSUMING AND WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT CAKE FOR ANY CELEBRATION ESPECIALLY FOR A BRIDAL SHOWER BRUNCH!

LEMON BLUEBERRY CREPE CAKE RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS

CREPE BATTER:

1 1/4 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

1/2 CUP SUGAR

1 1/4 CUPS MILK

3 LARGE EGGS

1/2 TABLESPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

6 TABLESPOONS BUTTER, PLUS MORE FOR MELTING IN THE PAN

LEMON CURD MOUSSE:

LEMON CURD - 10 OZ JAR

PINT OF HEAVY CREAM, WHIPPED

JELL-O NO BAKE DESSERT, REAL CHEESECAKE (YOU ONLY NEED THE CHEESECAKE POWDER AND THIS IS OPTIONAL ONLY IF YOU WANT YOUR CAKE TO LOOK PRETTY. READ ABOVE TO KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT, HAHA)

STEP 1) 

WHISK TOGETHER FLOUR, SUGAR AND SALT. WHISK TOGETHER MILK, EGGS, AND VANILLA. GRADUALLY POUR MILK MIXTURE INTO FLOUR MIXTURE, WHISKING UNTIL SMOOTH. WHISK IN BUTTER. POUR THROUGH A FINE SIEVE INTO AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER. REFRIGERATE AT LEAST 2 HOUR TO OVERNIGHT. YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE TO REFRIGERATE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE TIME- IT HONESTLY DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER BUT MARTHA SAYS TO DO IT SO IF YOU HAVE THE TIME I SUGGEST YOU DO IT =)

STEP 2) 

LIGHTLY COAT A 6 INCH CREPE PAN OR NON STICK SKILLET WITH BUTTER. HEAT OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL JUST STARTING TO SMOKE. REMOVE FROM HEAT; POUR A LITTLE LESS THAN 1/4 CUP OF BATTER INTO THE CENTER. TILT PAN TO SWIRL THE BATTER AROUND SO IT COVERS THE WHOLE BOTTOM OF THE PAN. COOK UNTIL EDGES ARE GOLDEN AND CENTER IS DRY ABOUT 1 MINUTE PER SIDE. (SEE ABOVE COMMENTS FOR MORE DETAILS)

STEP 3) SLIDE CREPE ONTO A PLATE. REPEAT WITH REMAINING BATTER, COATING PAN WITH BUTTER AS NEEDED AND STACKING CREPES. LET COOL.

STEP 4) WHIP HEAVY CREAM WITH A HAND MIXER TILL IT'S ONLY SLIGHTLY SHOWING PEAKS. YOU DO NOT WANT TO WHIP IT TILL IT HAS STIFF PEAKS JUST YET. ADD LEMON CURD AND CONTINUE TO MIX TILL YOU ALMOST HAVE STIFF PEAKS. FOLD IN THE CHEESECAKE MIX. PLACE IN REFRIGERATOR FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES TO LET THICKEN. 

STEP 4) TAKE A ROUND STRAIGHT SIDED CAKE PAN THAT IS THE SAME DIAMETER OF YOUR CREPES AND LINE IT WITH PLASTIC WRAP AND MAKE SURE IT IS OVERLAPPING. PUT YOUR FIRST CREPE IN THE BOTTOM NOTE: THIS WILL BE THE TOP OF YOUR CAKE. SPREAD ABOUT 1/4 CUP OF THE LEMON CURD MOUSSE ONTO CREPE. TOP WITH 1 CREPE. CONTINUE LAYERING CREPES AND MOUSSE. (USE 15 CREPES, ENDING WITH A CREPE ON TOP.) REFRIGERATE UNTIL FIRM, ABOUT 1 HOUR.

STEP 5) TAKE PAN OUT OF REFRIGERATOR AND FLIP OVER ONTO A CAKE PLATE. (FOR LAYERING TIERS SEE COMMENTS ABOVE)

5) GARNISH WITH EXTRA WHIPPED CREAM AND BLUEBERRIES AND ENJOY!!

Berry Themed Bridal Shower Brunch

SO HERE IS PROOF TO SHOW I HAVE BEEN TOO BUSY TO POST ANYTHING LATELY! MY SISTER AND HER FIANCEE DECIDED TO MOVE THE WEDDING UP A BIT AND HAVE IT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS NOVEMBER INSTEAD OF NEXT SEPTEMBER. SO THAT MEANT WE NEEDED TO PLAN A BRIDAL SHOWER FAST! 

WE HAD A BRUNCH OF SORTS WITH DELICIOUS BREAKFAST FOODS AND OUR THEME WAS BASED ON BERRIES SPECIFICALLY BLUEBERRIES. MY SISTER'S FIANCEE AND HIS FAMILY OWN A BLUEBERRY FARM (CHECK OUT THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE) AND THEIR WEDDING HAS A BLUEBERRY THEME SO WE THOUGHT WE WOULD INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE SHOWER AS WELL. 

I CREATED THE SHOWER INVITE ABOVE BUT CANNOT TAKE CREDIT FULLY BECAUSE I MODELED IT AFTER A BEAUTIFUL SHOWER INVITE YOU CAN PURCHASE HERE THEY ENDED UP BEING A BIT TIME CONSUMING SINCE I PRETTILY HAND ADDRESSED 65 ENVELOPES BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY TIME WELL SPENT IN MY OPINION =)

ORIGINALLY I WAS THINKING I COULD BE THE PHOTOGRAPHER BUT WASN'T THINKING HOW I NEEDED TO BE A HOST TOO SO I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL FOR MY FRIEND, HEATHER MORRIS WHO TOOK MOST OF THE PICTURES BELOW. YOU CAN CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE HERE

THE MENU 

(ALL HOMEMADE BY THE BRIDESMAIDS, FAMILY OF THE BRIDE AND OTHER FRIENDS)

 A YOGURT PARFAIT BAR WITH HOMEMADE GRANOLA 

SAUSAGE, GRAVY AND BISCUITS 

BROCCOLI QUICHE AS WELL AS QUICHE LORRAINE WITH BACON

A VARIETY OF HOMEMADE DONUT HOLES 

MINI POTATO CASSEROLES

HOMEMADE BLUEBERRY MUFFINS WITH HONEY BUTTER

SUN TEA AND BERRY MINT WATER

AS WELL AS BLUEBERRY COFFEE

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, A DELICIOUS LEMON BLUEBERRY CREPE CAKE (I WILL POST THE RECIPE SOON!)

THE CAKE WAS MY BABY THAT TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE AND I WILL GO INTO FURTHER DETAIL ABOUT ALL OF THAT IN A LATER POST BUT ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT I ROYALLY MESSED UP PUTTING THE CAKE TOGETHER AND IF IT WASN'T FOR MY BROTHER IN LAW'S, BROTHER, DAVID KROPP (PROFESSIONAL CAKE MAKER) WHO CAME TO MY RESCUE THEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN SCREWED!!!

THE VENUE

I ONLY HAVE AMAZING THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE VENUE! IT WAS WONDERFUL BOOKING IT AND HOLDING THE PARTY THERE. IT WAS AT THE CANO GALLERY WHICH IS THE OLD WILBER MANSION ON FORD AVENUE IN ONEONTA, NY. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL ART GALLERY THAT FORTUNATELY AT THE TIME OF OUR SHOWER, DID NOT HAVE ANY SHOWS UP SO ALL THE WALLS WERE COMPLETELY BARE AND WHITE WHICH GAVE US LOTS OF SPACE TO BE CREATIVE WITH OUR DECORATIONS. THEY EVEN REPAINTED THE WALLS BEFORE WE GOT THERE! IT REALLY WAS A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE AND FOR A GROUP OF 60 PEOPLE IT IS A PERFECT VENUE THAT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ANYONE! CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE! 

THE DECORATIONS

WELL IT WASN'T TOO HARD TO DECORATE AN ALREADY GORGEOUS SPACE! BUT WE DID HAVE TO BE CREATIVE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A TON OF MONEY TO WORK WITH. WE HAD TASSEL GARLANDS MADE FROM TISSUE PAPER BY MY AMAZING AUNT. WE HAD BEAUTIFUL PAPER TRIANGLE GARLANDS MADE BY MY SISTER, AMY AND BRIDESMAID, ABBY. ABBY, WHO I WORKED WITH AT THE FLOWER SHOP FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ALSO PUT TOGETHER OUR FOLIAGE WALL AND SUSPENDED WREATHS (WITH THE HELP OF MY NIECE, JULIA!). THEY TURNED OUT ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL AND UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T THINK THE PICTURES DO THEM JUSTICE! WE BOUGHT A VARIETY OF FOLIAGE FROM CODDINGTON'S FLORIST AND IT WORKED OUT PERFECTLY. ONE OF THE CHEAPEST DECORATIONS WAS THE BIG ENGINEER PRINTS I GOT FROM OFFICE MAX FOR ONLY $8 A PIECE! I PRINTED OUT A HUGE PICTURE OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM AS WELL AS A HAND LETTERED PIECE I MADE. BOTH WERE 3 FEET X 4 FEET WHICH TOOK UP A LOT OF SPACE AND REALLY MADE A STATEMENT AT SUCH A LOW COST!

EVERYTHING CAME TOGETHER AND IT ENDED UP BEING SUCH A LOVELY TIME. ENJOY THE PICTURES BELOW AND HOPEFULLY SOMETHING WILL INSPIRE YOU FOR YOUR NEXT PARTY! FEEL FREE TO COMMENT WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

THE PICTURE ABOVE IS OF MY TWO SISTERS AND ME. I AM ON THE RIGHT, MY SISTER, AMY IS ON THE LEFT AND MY SISTER, BETHANY, IN THE MIDDLE, IS THE ONE GETTING MARRIED! I <3 MY SISTAS!

BELOW IS THE HAND LETTERED PIECE I DID FOR THE ENGINEER PRINT. I AM SO PUMPED FOR MY SISTER AND NATE (HER FIANCEE) I CAN'T BELIEVE THEIR WEDDING IS IN LESS THAN 3 WEEKS!! I PRAY A SPECIAL BLESSING ON THEIR WEDDING DAY AND MARRIED LIFE TOGETHER! <3 <3 <3