Recipes

Peppermint Bark Bars

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Baking cookies for Christmas is one of my favorite holiday activities. These peppermint bark bars are sure to be a crowd pleaser at all of those cookie exchange parties!

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups chopped peppermint bark
  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup softened butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • Pinch of salt
Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 15x10-inch jelly roll pan. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, sugars and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in flour mixture. Stir in peppermint bark morsels. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan. Cut into bars. 


Marble Cake Stand



xo, Jordan

 Photography by Olivia Engelsman

Lifestyle

Eat More Cake

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

My love for rosé, dessert, and good company collided over the weekend when I hosted my first cake decorating party! I had so much fun putting all the details together that when the night was over I was a little bummed that I had to pack it all up and clean.

















Theme
The theme of the night was simple: rosé and cake!! Who wouldn't want to go to a wine and cake party?

Decor
In keeping with the rosé theme, I used paper flowers and hung them from the stairs to create a flower wall as the back drop to the simple rosé bar.

For the tablescape, I choose to use my kraft wrapping paper as the runner and clusters of candles and vases that I already had. I used fringe garland to create a boarder for the runner. The best part, the rest of the decor consisted of the small tired cakes, decorating tools and aprons at each chair.

Cake Decorating
I baked the cakes using two 6'' cake pans the night before along with the buttercream (recipe here). 

Each place setting consisted of a two layered cake, pastry bag of buttercream frosting, an offset spatula, and edible pearls. I decided to show a frosting tutorial so we could all leave with a new baking skill! Since we were sipping rosé, the perfect technique to learn was the rosette or swirl technique. I found a video on YouTube and put it up on the TV screen and we went to work.

Goodie Bags
Everyone took their beautiful cake creations home with them along with the offset spatulas, aprons, and last but not least...rosé in a CAN!! 


Aprons: JoAnn's | Eat More Cake Template: Style Me Pretty | Offset Spatulas: Webstaurant | Paper Flowers: JoAnn's | Fringe Garland: Amazon | Sauvetage Rosé: Club W | Pampelonne Rosé: Whole Foods | Baking Supplies: Michael's (Wilton Brand)
















Recipes

Homemade Buttercream

Tuesday, October 20, 2015


Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3-5 tablespoons milk
Directions:
  1. Add softened butter to stand mixer
  2. Beat butter on medium to high speed until fluffy. Approximately 3 minutes
  3. Add vanilla and milk and keep beating
  4. Slowly pour in powdered sugar and continue beating
  5. If you want to add in food coloring, add while it is beating
  6. If frosting is too stiff, add more milk and beat until combined
This recipe will frost 1 two-tired 8'' cake. To store, place in airtight container and store in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature to frost.


Lifestyle

Give Grace

Thursday, October 08, 2015

I came across The Give Grace™Campaign on Instagram and I related to Megan and Blake's story of infertility like so many other couples can. I jumped at the chance to support the cause and spread the word to raise funds for adoption and IVF. It also made me feel more comfortable with sharing my own story. I think people tend to shy away from this topic, but I have come to find that it helps to know that there are other people out there going through the same thing. So here it goes...



I've never thought of myself as much of a planner but when it came to what I wanted to do when I grew up, I never hesitated, I planned on being a wife and mother. As we all have to learn, life doesn't always go according to plan.

I have been so blessed in many aspects of my life. I met the love of my life while we were in high school and we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary this past July. Unfortunately, having babies just hasn't been in the cards for us yet. After a year of trying we decided to see a specialist and we were diagnosed with infertility. Hearing that word in your early twenties is definitely a shock but we were surprised to find out how common it actually was. We went through tests and treatments until another health condition has prevented us from continuing down the road of IUI or IVF. So for now, moving forward with these treatments has been put on hold. This journey has been a long road of ups and downs with what seems like more downs. It has taken me awhile to come to a place of accepting that this just isn't the right time, but I am hopeful that one day we will be blessed with the family that we have always wanted.

For all of you out there with baby-shaped holes in your hearts, I hope and pray that one day those holes are filled with the family of your dreams!

Thanks for reading!

xo, Jordan


Recipes

Mini Pumpkin Donuts

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Fall is here and that means it's time for anything and everything pumpkin. What better way to satisfy that pumpkin craving than with these baked mini donuts! And the best part, there are only 3 ingredients.

What you need:

  • 1 box of white cake mix
  • 1 can of Pure Pumpkin 
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Mini Donut maker or donut pan
Instructions:
  1. Preheat donut maker  
  2. Mix together cake mix and pumpkin until blended
  3. Fill pastry bag with mixture 
  4. Spray donut wells with non-stick baking spray and fill 
  5. Bake for 3-5 minutes until golden brown
  6. Place on cooling rack
  7. Fill a shallow bowl with powdered sugar and roll donuts until coated









Best served with a pumpkin spice latte!

xo, Jordan


Recipes

Piña Colada Popsicles

Monday, August 03, 2015

Nothing says summer more than kicking back and relaxing with a cocktail in hand! Ah I can picture it now, being on some tropical island with endless Piña Coladas. Doesn't that sound AH-MAZ-ING? If I can't be on that island, I guess living in beautiful Southern California is the next best thing. Around this time 4 years ago, my husband Daniel and I were honeymooning in Key West which is one of our favorite destinations. Reminiscing about this trip became my inspiration for a frozen twist on the classic Piña Colada.

When we arrived at the beautiful Casa Marina hotel, we headed straight for the pool bar and of course I ordered a piña colada. This wasn't your regular piña, it had Cruzan Black Strap Rum poured over the top. It tasted just like brown sugar and it was by far the best piña colada I have EVER had. Fast forward 4 years and I can't think of a better way to enjoy my favorite cocktail than by consuming it in popsicle form!


Ingredients:

  • 1 fresh pineapple, cored and cubed
  • 1 6-oz. can of pineapple juice
  • 1 15-oz. can of Cream of Coconut
  • 6 oz. of Rum 
  • Mixer
  • Popsicle Molds

Using a stand-up mixer or a hand mixer, mix the pineapple cubes with the pineapple juice until puréed. Whisk in remaining ingredients. If you still have chunks of pineapple use a strainer to separate the juice. Fill popsicle molds to the fill line. I used the Zoku Quick Pop Maker so they didn't need to freeze overnight.

Makes 12 popsicles depending on the size of your mold.





Thank you for reading and enjoy!

xo, Jordan




Lifestyle

Easter Sunday Brunch Tablescape

Monday, March 30, 2015

I love a good brunch and Easter Sunday is the perfect excuse to indulge! The are a few staples that should be at every brunch: champagne, carbs and good company! My Easter brunch setup includes mini spinach and goat cheese frittatas, croissants, apple turnovers, lemonade, orange juice, and of course Veuve!


Pink Bunny Plates from Pottery Barn (No longer online but available in stores)
Bunny Napkins from Pottery Barn (No longer online but available in stores)
Glass Dome

Mini Frittatas Recipe
Gold Foil Eggs
Bunny Placecard Holders
Similar Bunny Pillows

I had a lot of fun putting together this tablescape. I can't wait to enjoy all the good food and company on Easter! I hope you have a lovely Easter Sunday with your friends and family!

xo, Jordan