tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18542518637115941232024-03-13T12:49:50.743-04:00Cafe CocoALWAYS KEEP IT SWEETSweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-68396584106179542702016-06-18T22:26:00.001-04:002016-06-18T22:33:55.173-04:00Raspberry Bourbon Smash with Spicy Vanilla Sugar We are kicking off our Father's Day with a drink. And a damn good one!I've never been a huge fan of bourbon (please don't tell my father because he would probably be disappointed in my Kentucky blood). After trying this drink, my fanhood has totally moved up a notch. Make that two.Raspberry Bourbon Smash with Spicy Vanilla Sugar(Makes 3)4.5 ounces freshly squeezed orange Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-19043300992113640032011-06-10T23:45:00.000-04:002011-06-10T23:45:44.602-04:00Grilled Panko Crusted Salmon with Honey Orange VinaigretteCopper river salmon is finally in season! To celebrate, I tried something new. Grilling fish. Strait on the grill.
Typically, my husband was always the grill master. I just didn't want to deal with the extreme 700 degrees of our grill, and quite frankly the grill can be intimidating. These days, I've had to overcome a lot of my fears, like giving birth, Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-33855361942167812652011-06-05T22:38:00.000-04:002011-06-05T22:38:10.088-04:00Prosciutto and Melon Appetizer with Marcona AlmondsOk, so technically, I didn't make this. However, I did manage to put it together in just minutes for a little appetizer while I was making dinner. It's the perfect appetizer, its quick, simple and SO, SO good.
I have had this many times before, but it finally became a staple on my Italian vacation with my husband. We would step into a small cafe while shopping and sight Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-70226247312948033012011-05-07T09:14:00.000-04:002011-05-07T09:14:00.542-04:00Chicken MarsalaPlanning ahead can be really tough when you are busy. Sometimes I get caught up in all the other tasks of the week that I can't be bothered with sitting down to write a menu for the week, plus a shopping list that I will probably forget or lose at home anyway.
This week, was just one of those weeks. I came off a busy weekend and I needed to just live with using what was in my Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-21651201831723407962011-05-06T14:08:00.000-04:002011-05-06T14:08:38.002-04:00Rose CakeAfter a very busy weekend of making the lady bug cake for my friends shower, I was asked to bring the birthday cake for my other friend Leslie to our women's wine tasting club.
I was short on time and energy, but I still wanted my cake to be a show piece. Even though I need a bit of practice with the roses and piping, I think it turned out really cute. I stole the idea from my friend Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-8869696884372496882011-05-05T17:03:00.000-04:002011-05-05T17:03:43.624-04:00Tres Leches Cake with Chantilly Cream
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Two words describe this cake.
GET OUT.... GET OUT!
Ok, that is four. But seriously, this cake is shout it from the street good!
Last year, I made tres leches cupcakes that were not only dry, but sticky. A true disappointment since this cake should be extremely moist. This year, I went simple and went with a recipe from "The Joy of Cooking".  Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-40875472187979258572011-05-04T22:11:00.000-04:002011-05-04T22:11:52.386-04:00Chocolate Flower Cupcakes with Fondant Lady Bugs and FlowersI made these cupcakes for my friend's shower this weekend in order to fill in the gaps of additional guests.
At first, I chose cupcakes because, typically, they are relatively quick and easy. Of course, while researching "You Tube" for some decorating techniques for the cake, I found this cute little technique and decided, I had to try it!
Fast forward to the day before the party, I was in Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-55523456563024463812011-05-02T22:24:00.003-04:002011-05-03T13:09:02.242-04:00Lady Bug Fondant Cake with White Vanilla Cake and Chocolate Cake and Raspberry Swiss Meringue Buttercream FillingThis past week has been 'adventures in cakeland'. One of my good friends was having a baby shower and I offered to make the cake. At first, it started out for a group of 50, which quickly turned into 75. No need to panic....its nothing that a few cupcakes couldn't fix. In the end...it was one cute dessert display.
Now, most people wouldn't offer to make an extraordinary Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-31734075999956964412011-04-27T09:00:00.004-04:002011-04-27T09:00:15.478-04:00Cherry Almond Scones with Vanilla and Lemon Zest
Up until this weekend, I was unsure if I liked scones. The last time I made scones I was just beginning to do a lot of 'from scratch' baking. I was very novice an unsure of how to kneed dough and what it should look like. As a result, the scones didn't really turn out well. They were dry and bland. This could have entirely been based upon the recipe chosen (I would Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-14324544114326466282011-04-26T09:00:00.001-04:002011-04-26T09:00:09.719-04:00Banana Cream PieI was never one to order or make a pie. After joining TWD (Tuesday's with Dorie) a few years ago, I began to break out of my cake/cookie mold and started to try new things, including pies. While I need serious work on my pie crust skills, I must say I really enjoy homemade pie!
The last time I made this pie, I made a ton of alterations-adding a peanut butter layer and a chocolate Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-26739896374135400492011-04-25T09:00:00.003-04:002011-04-25T12:21:57.823-04:00Rack of Lamb with Mint, Golden Raisins and Pine nuts and Greek Yogurt DipI have a confession.
I do not like ham, Sam I am.
I'm being serious. I don't like it at all. My husband and I would order a ham every year for Easter. (Lamb is really the more traditional course choice). My father in law would get in line, every year, at the Honeybaked Ham store for all of us. Bless his heart for doing this. The last Easter I hosted, Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-84787919234070806072011-04-24T21:32:00.000-04:002011-04-24T21:32:49.832-04:00Easter Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Sugar CookiesLast year, I took Easter off. The thought of hosting a large group of people at my house while I prepped all week, then cleaned up after all the company, was just not in the cards since my little G was only about 6 weeks old. This year, I was much more able to handle it all--including making 2 desserts.
From the first Easter I spent with my husbands family, I made carrot cake. Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-41642251702915542382011-04-21T22:18:00.002-04:002011-04-22T09:59:54.541-04:00Easter Lemon-y Sugar CookiesMy baby cousin, Billy (I can call him my baby cousin because my mom watched him when he was just a baby --sorry Bill! ;) ), is serving in the Air Force and will be away from the family for Easter this year. My aunt wanted to make sure he had a nice care package before the holiday so she called to see if I could help out by making 5 dozen cookies. Of course, sugar cookies Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-36478801824476597982011-04-19T17:17:00.001-04:002011-04-19T22:04:00.249-04:00Antique Book Cake with Yellow Vanilla Bean Cake and Vanilla ButtercreamQuick question: Does this look like a book?
Hopefully it does! But it's not! It's all CAKE!
I look in amazement and smile at this thing every single time I pass it sitting on my counter. I made this.
I stared at it for over a day before I finished it (had to 'title' the darn thing) and let's face it, I stink at writing on cakes (if anything blew my cover it was Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-33103200932981509192011-04-16T09:06:00.000-04:002011-04-16T09:06:00.545-04:00Mascarpone Pasta with Peas and CarrotsMy 21 pound one-year old could eat her body weight in pasta. This isn't a joke.
After giving her a very good sized bowl at dinner, she signed "more". So, I walk over to the stove, and scoop more pasta into her bowl. A short time later, she signs "more" and deliberately points over to the pot sitting on the stove. 3 bowls later, she starts signing again, and pointing. &Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-88982436604747132822011-04-15T22:06:00.001-04:002011-04-15T22:36:46.236-04:00French Inspired Blue Fondant and White Floral CakeI decided sometime last week that I was going to start my own baking business. While I am still working on building a website (I bake cakes...not websites so this will be a work in progress) I have finally decided on a name. I know...you are all in suspense. I'll release it when I get my website up. Besides, I don't want my hard work with an email focus group to go to Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-36155952262651349972011-04-09T09:32:00.001-04:002011-04-10T14:14:32.986-04:00Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Feta, Kalamata Olives and Dill
I love wandering through Whole Foods. I could spend an afternoon wandering the isles looking at everything. These days, I don't get much of an opportunity to sit and clog the grocery isles...because I am quickly reminded I have a toddler with me as a cheerio whizzes by my head.
But, while my little one does not share my patience for shopping, there is one thing we both have in Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-66998513221043960052011-04-08T21:22:00.001-04:002011-04-08T21:24:38.012-04:00Dark Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Mousse Filling and Chocolate Italian Meringue Buttercream Chocolate Shavings and Chocolate Covered Strawberries
The winter months are busy with birthdays in my family. Last year, I had just given birth to my sweet baby G, so my husband had to deal with a bakery bought cake. After pulling off an extraordinary 1st birthday party for my daughter, I knew my 'husbands cake' would be a simple task to pull off.
This time, I made a slight improvement: I added homemade chocolate covered Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-45611061144270284842011-04-07T17:02:00.001-04:002011-05-01T22:51:46.286-04:00Halibut Sandwich and Toasted Couscous SaladOver the weekend, I was able to catch up on my favorite food network shows. Giada's struck me (maybe it was because they were all hanging at the beach and there is no warm weather in sight in MI yet!). After watching, my husband and I were drooling. I look over at him, and said "Should we make this today?" He gets up immediately from his seat and says, "Yes, I will get a Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-31018525876452075202011-04-06T18:30:00.001-04:002011-04-06T18:31:46.312-04:00Apple Blossom Fondant Yellow Cake with Chocolate ButtercreamLast night was my last Class #2 of Wilton. (I've taken them somewhat out of order...and re-took #2 for a refresher). I was put under a bit of pressure from my fellow classmate, Dolce by Dana, to step outside the box once again and NOT choose something from the Wilton suggestion book. Originally I figured I might just take it easy this time but as the weeks drew closer I knew I Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-44553888803040648922011-03-29T09:38:00.000-04:002011-03-29T09:38:00.498-04:00Samoa CupcakesI hosted a CAbi party at my house last weekend and I knew one good way to get people over to my house was to bribe entice them with cupcakes. It's sneaky. Rather sneaky.
I knew that since the party was to be 'fashioned based' my cupcakes better come dressed for the party. And did they ever!
I saw these sinful silhouettes over at Fields of Cake a few weeks ago and I nearly fell Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-80086725812464867032011-03-28T21:37:00.000-04:002011-03-28T21:37:45.699-04:00Vanilla Bean Angel Food Cupcakes with Chantilly CreamMy daughter had, yet another, birthday party this weekend. This time, it was a joint party at a 'kid gym' for her and all her little friends that were born within the same month. It was fun watching all the little ones play around on the mats and slides. It's hard to believe I was a brand new mom this time last year. I remembered sitting back at some point and thinking....Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-3540381347790518472011-03-09T22:46:00.000-05:002011-03-09T22:46:26.097-05:00Floral Fondant Zucchini Carrot Cake
Tuesday was my last day of my Gum Paste and Fondant class with Wilton. We had to do only one cake for the class --at the very end. Thank goodness for that since my daughters birthday party nearly knocked me on my rear end.
I researched for a design from the first day of class. But I hadn't quite decided on what to do until the Sunday before my last class. I was Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-69696268586353798392011-03-05T22:16:00.000-05:002011-03-05T22:16:37.014-05:00Nursery Rhyme Birthday Party
I normally don't post specifically about events but since this was a pretty significant event in MY life, I decided it was just too big not to post about it.
I remember talking to my neighbor about the first birthday celebration when I was pregnant. Our conversation is still so vivid in my mind. She said, "Your life changes so much after having a child, you change, your marriage Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1854251863711594123.post-80791868411601863372011-02-27T14:32:00.000-05:002011-02-27T14:32:36.856-05:00Throw a Party....Cafe Coco Style!
Just a little teaser post--
My sweet little baby turned one last week and we threw her a birthday party yesterday! I was one BUSY mama busting my rear end baking to get this party together!
Here is a picture of the 'dessert' table in the middle of assembly.
More to come!
Hungry?Sweet as Cocohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714249580972895760noreply@blogger.com2