Dessert

Modern Buttercream with Craftsy

2 · Oct 31, 2013 · 1 Comment

This post brought to you by Craftsty // I LOVE learning new skills and one of my go to places for that is… Craftsy. Have you discovered Craftsy yet? Craftsy is your premiere online learning resource for anything creative. They have sewing, knitting, jewelry making, cooking and cake decorating to name just a few. They have gathered top experts in their field to create high quality classes for you to enjoy and learn from right in your home and on your own time schedule. The other day I took one of their free classes that they have available, Modern Buttercream…

Now, I'm no stranger to cake making, but… I am no expert. I am self taught, I have been dying to learn how to make my cakes look a little more professional. I knew it was time to take a class, but who has time to take a class? I sure don't. That's why Craftsy is perfect! I logged onto my class while sitting on my couch in my PJ's with Gage (my three year old tag along) hanging out with me. It was perfect, I didn't have to find a babysitter or even get dressed. I was able to learn the finer points of creating a buttercream cake from Joshua John Russell. He is an amazing cake artist who I've been watching for several years on the Food Network. He is super talented and a fabulous teacher…

I am blown away every time a take a class through Craftsy. They are indepth and create a class that you can really learn from. I learned a ton from Joshua. Like how to carve a cake so that it not only looks good, but tastes even better too.

I have always used a "buttercream" that is simple to make, but it's not a real buttercream. In this class Joshua teaches how to make a traditional Swiss Buttercream and then how to frost your cake so that it looks like a professional decorated it. Another tip I learned, drizzle a simple syrup on your cake before you assemble. this way your cake stays nice and moist…

I was able to watch right along with Joshua on my iPad while I worked right along with him…

Craftsy even has their very own app so it's even easier to watch your classes on your mobile device.

I was able to practice my carving skills (which I still need more practice.)

Then I practiced my crumb coating skills. Do you know why you use a crumb coat? You'll have to come take the class to find out.

Then I did my final coat and a simple decoration and a rustic finish for my first buttercream cake…

It turned out pretty good, but I'm ready for some more practice so I can make a cake just like Joshua. The nice thing… it tasted amazing! I did add a little more sugar to his buttercream recipe because I like my buttercream a little sweeter, but overall this class was excellent. I am going to work on another autumn themed cake this weekend to practice my skills. I'll let you know how it turns out next week. In the mean time… You should head over to Craftsy and take one of their free classes to see how amazing the platform is. They have this Modern Buttercream class and Fondant and Hand Painted Cake classes… You'll be amazed!!

Come back next week for my second cake, I have a few more secret tips that I will be sharing!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Craftsy. The opinions and text are all mine.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

2 · Oct 17, 2013 · 18 Comments

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe // Hello Whipperberry readers! It's Jenn here from Clean and Scentsible. I'm so excited to be visiting again today and have brought along my new favorite dessert – salted caramel apple pie! I normally prefer desserts with chocolate so you know this has got to be good! 🙂

This would make the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving or any other fall dinner party!

Ingredients

Crust

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup vegetable shortening {cut into 1/2 inch cubes}
6-8 tbsp ice cold water

Filling

2 tbsp butter
8 medium apples peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. all purpose flour
1 can Dulce de Leche Caramel sauce {available in the sweetened condensed milk section}
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. sea salt

Topping

one egg, beaten
1-2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions

Crust

Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the shortening, working it into the mixture using a pastry blender until course crumbs form. Fill a bowl with water and some ice cubes. Sprinkle about 2-3 tbsp. of the water over the mixture distributing it evenly. Continue to add water 1 tbsp. at a time until the dough will hold together when pressed. Divide the dough into two balls, one slightly larger than the other and then flatten into 1/2 inch thick discs. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

Filling

Cook the cubed apples with 2 tbsp. of butter in a large skillet for 10 minutes over medium heat. Allow to cool. In a sauce pan, melt 1 tbsp. of butter with the flour and cook on low for 1 minute. Add the caramel sauce, cinnamon and salt. Continue to cook for approximately 3 minutes. Combine approximately 3/4 of the mixture with the cooled apples. Save the remaining caramel sauce for the topping.

Putting it Together

Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly flour your workspace and roll out the larger ball of dough into a large circle to line the bottom and sides of your pie plate {approximately an 11 inch circle}. Place the dough in a nine inch pie plate and fill with the apple mixture. Roll out the remaining dough to form the top of the pie. Brush the edges of the pie with the beaten egg and press to seal. Cut some vent slits in the center of the pie. Brush the top of the pie with egg and sprinkle with the sugar and salt. Bake for 55-60 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

Top with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with the remaining caramel sauce. Pure deliciousness! I promise that you won't be disappointed!

If you are looking for some other Thanksgiving ideas, you might like these posts as well…

Chocolate Turkey Fruit Fondue / Thanksgiving Decor / Turkey Treats

You can also visit me with here: FACEBOOK / PINTEREST / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER

Thanks so much to Heather for having me! Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Simple Creme Anglaise Recipe

3 · Oct 16, 2013 · 3 Comments

Creme Anglaise Recipe // Hi all of you Whipperberry fans! It’s me Jesseca from One Sweet Appetite here to talk Holiday’s. It’s almost that time of year. You know… That time when you are starting to think of great recipes to share at holiday parties or dinners? If you are anything like me, you are probably wanting to make a great impression and serve up something that is going to be easy but also make a flavorful impact on your visitors. Luckily, I have you covered with this simple creme anglaise. You can whip it up the day before and serve it as a dipping sauce or drizzle over some Vanilla Pound Cake, which I happen to have up on my site today! You will never believe how quick this recipe is or how quickly it disappears. The wonderful aroma of vanilla will fill your house and get your senses working while it gently cooks. Everyone will be drooling in anticipation!

Start by whisking together two egg yolks with 1/4 cup of sugar. You want the color to lighten to an off white. Fill a 9×13 pan with ice and water. Set a medium sized bowl in the center. Set that aside and move on to the next step.

Combine 1 cup of half and half with 1-1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Heat until small bubbles begin to form around the edges.

Slowly drizzle your half and half into your egg mixture. Whisk to combine.

Return to the pan and cook on low heat until just slightly thickened.

Immediately pour into the bowl that you placed in the ice bath earlier to stop the cooking process. Serve now for a warm drizzle or refrigerate for a cooler custard sauce later.

My husband decided the cooled down version is great to eat all on it’s own. I, however, prefer it as a dipping sauce for that Vanilla Pound Cake I mentioned earlier! Both can be made the night before to save on time. Which might be convenient during all of the crazy family parties that are sure to be starting soon! Thanks for letting me take over your site today Heather! Hopefully I’ll be seeing some of you soon over at One Sweet Appetite!

Frankenstein Halloween Rice Krispie Treats with Free Printable

15 · Sep 19, 2013 · 12 Comments

Halloween Rice Krispie Treats // Hello awesome Whipperberry readers! Jenn here again from Clean and Scentsible! I'm not really sure where the summer went, but fall is definitely in the air around our house. And once fall arrives, Halloween will soon follow! Halloween is always such a fun holiday to plan for and the kids and I love to come up with fun food ideas to go with it….

Ingredients

4 tbsp. butter
5 cups mini marshmallows
7 cups Rice Krispies
marshmallows
green food coloring
candy eyes
green mini-marshmallows for the ears
melting chocolate {I used about half a bag}
paper straws {optional}

Directions

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. I know it's tempting to turn the heat up but I find that this works best if done slowly over lower heat! Add the green food coloring until you have the desired color.
Once melted, remove from the heat and gradually add the Rice Krispies. Stir until the Rice Krispies are completed coated.
Using a buttered spatula {or butter your hands}, press evenly into a well greased 9×13 pan. Cool and cut into rectangles. {Mine were approximately 3 x 4 inches}. Before they are completely cooled, press in the candy eyes and add the straws into the bottom of each rectangle. Snip the ends of the straw if you would like.
Cut a toothpick in half and add a marshmallow to each half for the ears. Insert into the Rice Krispie square. Wait for the Rice Krispies to completely cool.
Melt chocolate in the microwave as per the directions on the package. For most melting chocolate, melt at medium-high heat for 1 minute, stir, and then continue heating in 10-30 second intervals until completely melted. Do not overheat!!!
Using a knife add the hair and place down on wax paper. Pipe on the chocolate for the mouth {I just used a decorating squeeze bottle} and you are done!

If you are going to be packaging these guys up for a little Halloween gift or classroom treat, I have also created a couple of free printable tags for you.