Thursday, July 5, 2012

Sweet Cornbread & Honey Cupcakes

I was trying to think of a fun cupcake flavor to make for The 4th of July when I came up with these little beauties. I should have been preparing for The Farmers' Market this coming Saturday...but it seems like my BEST ideas always come to me when I have other "stuff" on my plate. I've learned by now that my mind won't be able to focus on anything until I tackle said-new-idea....so I went with it!

 

Naturally I thought the new flavor should be something that would fit in at a backyard BBQ. We LOVE Cornbread around here. My cornbread recipe is already pretty sweet (of course)...so I took those same basic concepts and decided to put them in cupcake form .

The end result were these delicious
Sweet Cornbread and Honey Cupcakes! 


 I used my basic yellow cupcake batter as the base, added yellow cornmeal, Noble Bee Honey from the Amana Colonies, and some yummy creamed corn.

After the cupcakes cooled I added MORE honey to the top of each one. Then, to finish, I topped them with an UBER YUMMY Noble Bee Honey Buttercream Frosting.

We took a pile of them along with us to our 4th of July gathering and they were VERY well-received....which always makes me happy! One person even compared the cupcake to Famous Dave's Cornbread Muffins...I took a few without frosting. I've never had the Famous Dave's version, but I was told that it's a compliment to be compared to them :)

I will be taking these with me to market this weekend...so see....I really wasn't procrastinating...I was preparing for market all along!

Happy Baking!
~Audrey

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Something {SWEET}: Ripped Fabric Window Valances!

This post isn't TREAT related...but it's still SUPER {SWEET} so I just had to share!

I've been cranking out a BUNCH of FUN and EASY projects lately. Stuff I can tackle while the kids are taking their afternoon naps...so the easier, the better...and often-times the CUTER as well ;)

Here's one I'm currently OBSESSED with!

RIPPED FABRIC WINDOW VALANCES 


 I made these for the kiddos' playroom downstairs. I needed something that would add some FUN color, but didn't really want to block out too much of the natural light that comes in. I've seen variations of window treatments using ribbons on Pinterest, and another version from One Castle in the Kingdom that involved sewing (super cute, but I needed to make them even easier). So I went with simply ripping the fabric and tying it directly onto tension rods. So easy, inexpensive and UBER adorable!



If you want to make some of your own all you'll need is a stack of fabric scraps in whatever color palette you're working with. I actually went out and bought a pile of 1 yard pieces. I have a "THING" for fabric, so any excuse to go snatch some up and I'm there. Honestly though, I don't sew...I just {LOVE} buying the stuff! It's so cheerful, bright and happy...maybe I should learn a few tricks with my sewing machine....in my spare time - LOL! 

I also bought two inexpensive tension rods so we didn't have to actually add any hanging hardware.



I ripped the fabric in 1 to 2 inch strips, no measuring, just eye-balled it and went to town ;) I think it adds to the organic feel of these...you really CAN'T mess them up! Plus, it's a project the kids can even help with! I didn't quite have it finished up before naptime was over...so they helped me layout scraps and decide which colors should go where.

That's it...simple, fun, and SUPER cute ;) I'm planning on making another rod-full of these for Harper's bedroom...they're just TOO adorable!
ENJOY!
~Audrey


I'm LINKING UP!
You can find TONS of inspiration by visiting these WEEKLY LINK PARTIES!
I always do...and I'm sharing this project with them NOW!

Monday
Making Mondays Marvelous hosted by C.R.A.F.T.
Made by you Monday hosted by Skip to My Lou
Monday Link Up Party hosted by Making the World Cuter
Just Something I Whipped Up hosted by The Girl Creative
Market Yourself Monday hosted by Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Creative Me hosted by The Southern Institute

Tuesday
Get your Craft On Tuesday hosted by Today's Creative Blog
Take-A-Look Tuesday hosted by Sugar Bee Crafts
Show Me What Ya Got hosted by Not JUST a Housewife

Friday
Feature Yourself Friday hosted by Fingerprints on the Fridge
Friday Flair hosted by Whipperberry
Catch as Catch Can hosted by My Repurposed Life

Sunday, June 17, 2012

The WINNER is....

KAREN WATERS is the WINNER of my 3000 FB Fan GIVEAWAY!

Here is Karen's comment:


I have completed the Likey assignment! I would LOVE the Babycakes mini cupcake maker...because I love cupcakes and would love quick and easy cupcakes. :) Also, my birthday is June 17th so this prize package would be an awesome birthday present!!! ;)

Thank you ALL for participating and visiting the AMAZING creators and business women behind
Puddin' Pies, Masterpieces of Fun Art , The Dreaming Bear  and Green Party Goods!

I am TRULY appreciative of the support I receive from my followers....BEYOND actually. You all inspire ME with your SWEET comments and AWESOME creativity. Thanks for stickin' around...LOTS of more YUMMINESS to come :)

~Audrey

Thursday, June 7, 2012

3000 Facebook FAN GIVEAWAY!

Okay...so I'm seriously feelin' the {LOVE} these days! My blog is SUPER close to 500 followers, and I'm up and OVER 3000 Facebook Fans!

I feel humbled, awed, inspired and truly BLESSED to have connected with SO many AMAZING people online. Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats would NOT exist without the support I get on a DAILY basis from customers, friends, family, fellow creators....ALL of you...and I really DO mean that...you're what makes THIS possible!

I've been compiling some CUTE Cupcake-related items for months now....and thought a FUN GIVEAWAY to celebrate reaching 3000 Facebook Fans would be PERFECT!

Here's what YOU could WIN!


First up...a SIGNED copy of Push-up Pops by the UBER talented Courtney Dial Whitmore of Pizzazzerie. People always ask how I have time to get everything done...well this girl is in a league ALL her OWN! I've had the EXTREME honor of being featured on her FAB party inspiration site several times...such a THRILL...each and every time!

Since you'll have the book...I figured you'd want some of the supplies to get you on your way ;) Also included is an Original Babycakes Mini Cupcake Maker! So cute...and fun...perfect for making treats with the kiddos!

Next up, I'm including 1 DOZEN of the Push-up Pop containers! Have FUN! These are SO versatile...we've used them for several parties and the ideas are ENDLESS!

Need a SWEET way to display your CUPCAKE creations??? Green Party Goods is offering a CUPCAKE STAND...YOUR choice...to the WINNER! Their shop is FULL of super cute and fun party supplies! I'm a BIG fan of the paper straws...I love using them as sticks for my Cake Pops! 



In the UBER cute category, I'm adding an ADORABLE Scrabble Tile pendant necklace! The tile has a Cupcake on it with the words "I tinkle sprinkles!" I own one of these myself...couldn't resist buying 2 so I could share the JOY!

For your little Cupcake, Masterpieces of Fun Art has contributed a set of 5 of the MOST ADORABLE FELT CUPCAKE HAIR CLIPPIES...EVER! I have recently become somewhat addicted to her etsy shop...and you'll SEE why! It seriously just doesn't get any cuter!



I also have some contributions from LOCAL businesses that I LOVE! Both of which I hadn't even HEARD of before I entered the online stratosphere and my life was forever changed - LOL! Seriously though...I'm constantly AMAZED at the amount of SUPREMELY CREATIVE TALENT we have right here...in IOWA!

Cynthia, of Puddin' Pies, has made SEVERAL adorable creations for my kiddos...and now she made something SPECIAL for one of YOU! This CUPCAKE Purse is BEYOND cute...LOVE! In fact...after she sent me a picture I told her she might as well make another for me to BUY - LOL!






Finally....a SWEET contribution from The Dreaming Bear! If you're local...you HAVE to stop in to this shop...like YESTERDAY! No joke...they have the coolest, funkiest, most eclectic blend of gifts, goodies and dibby-dabbies you could EVER want! Plus...there's an ART STUDIO in the shop...so you can make YOUR OWN super cool creations! If you're not local...don't despair...shop-owner Dori also has an etsy shop {HERE}...so you can snag some sweetness for yourself!

What was I saying...oh right...lol...Dori has graciously given me a Coconut Kokomo Cupcake Bath Fizzy and a pair of adorable Cupcake Barrettes to add to the POT!


So now...the FUN part...what YOU have to DO to WIN!

FIRST...you'll need to pop over to Puddin' Pies, Masterpieces of Fun Art , The Dreaming Bear  and Green Party Goods on FB and show them some LIKEY-LOVE! 

NEXT...COMMENT HERE...on THIS POST....letting me know you completed your LIKEY assignment...and which part of the prize package you're MOST excited to receive!

The WINNER will be selected using random.org and ANNOUNCED on Father's Day, Sunday June 17th!

This is open to EVERYONE...all of the items are totally shippable...good news right!?!?

Phew...that was A LOT...now GO...have FUN!!!

Thanks!
Audrey

Monday, June 4, 2012

GOONIES PARTY: Dane {LOVES} Sloth!

When Dane originally told me he wanted to have a GOONIES party, I have to admit, I spent a couple of weeks trying to convince him that maybe he wanted a different party theme…one that was a little easier to plan perhaps – LOL! He wasn't havin' it...sometimes I forget that I have a SUPREMELY opinionated 4-yr old on my hands. He had his mind made-up and luckily I figured out a way to make it work!


I decided we’d have GOONIES elements that would make the party pop, add-in some pirate decorations, skulls, lots of treasure chests, treats (THE RICH STUFF) and hope it would all come together. I tried really hard to not make it just another pirate party and didn’t want a Halloween feel…not that there's anything wrong with either scenario...it's just, this kid wanted GOONIES...and that's what he was gettin! I think the end result was more than I could have hoped for!
 

Squared Party Printables created a GOONIES themed party package for me. The printables really gave the party a cohesive feel! I wanted to incorporate several quotes from the movie in the printables. They looked great framed throughout the party and Dane said he wants to use them as decorations in his room now too! I used the 2” cupcake toppers on SO many things…cupcakes (of course), Cake Pops, Cupcake Shooters, favor bags and several other treats!

I found a few different GOONIES movie posters online and had them hanging throughout the house. I told Dane we could frame ONE of the posters to hang in his room after the party....he picked the Truffle Shuffle poster (I couldn't have been MORE proud!) The FUN custom party banner, created by Puddin' Pies, is also going to be decorating his room!


I also framed some printed GOONIES cards from Thunderpeep Designs. She had created caricature-style renditions of some of the key characters, Sloth, Mama Fratelli and One Eyed Willy…another FUN way to tie in the movie.


I used a TON of borrowed items to decorate, along with LOTS of thrift store and garage sale finds. My Grandma had most of the trunks that we used just tucked away in her basement. I also managed to borrow a Statue of David! I’m not sure that all of our guests GOT the movie reference on that one…but the TRUE GOONIES fans  thought it was hilarious!



The favor station included lots of FUN goodies including Ring Pops, Rock Candy, Skull rings, necklaces, jewels, golden coin candy, candied cornfetti, eye patches and Pinchers of POWER, to name a few. {You say Pinchers of Peril...I say Pinchers of Power....let the debate begin!} I put out paper bags and skeleton stickers so the kids could decorate their own goody-sacks to fill-up!





I also had some super COOL favors for the grown-ups at the party. Inspired by the Lost Garden Wishing Well scene from the movie. Local, custom jewelry shop, Two Jennifers created stamped quarter charms! Some were stamped with “My Wish” and some with “My Dream.” They make great necklaces or even key chains and turned out AWESOME! I even snagged a stamped quarter dated 1981...the year I was born....now THAT'S a treasure - LOL!


I created ALL of the desserts for the party! I love doing it and had LOTS of fun ideas once my wheels started turnin'!



To honor our favorite character from the movie, SLOTH, I made several ROCKY ROAD-inspired desserts! I whipped-up some Rocky Road Cupcakes...Chocolate Cupcakes, topped with chocolate syrup, mini-marshmallows and finished with a mound of marshmallow buttercream frosting, crushed walnuts and MORE chocolate syrup...these things are INSANELY delicious!!! I dipped giant marshmallows in chocolate and rolled them in walnuts, and also made some Rocky Road cupcake shooters.




I even pre-scooped Rocky Road ice cream into cupcake liners, stuck 'em in the freezer for quick-serving…and then forgot to get them out during the party! It HAS been nice having grab-n-go ice cream scoops for the past couple of weeks though :)


 Another fun treat, these “Buried Treasure” Cupcakes and Cupcake Shooters, they had a layer of Crunch Coat topping under the frosting…SO fun!




I have to say, out of ALL the desserts…the Cake Pops STOLE the show! Dane had requested some skeleton pops and…SLOTH Cake Pops! I like that he has that much FAITH in my Cake Poppin' skills. I figured Sloth was already lumpy to start with, so they were worth a shot – LOL! They turned out hilariously cute…I was literally laughing out-loud as I was making them.





Another fun movie reference, I wanted to serve a drink that looked like the grody-water Mama Fratelli serves to the boys in the Lighthouse Diner. I made an Apple Juice/White Grape Juice combination and put it in our big beverage dispenser. Next to it, I put a framed printable with a quote from that scene in the movie…very funny...and very convincing!

One activity the kids really enjoyed was digging for buried treasure in our backyard. We buried a bunch of seashells and colored gems in our sandbox and the kids dug away! They put their buried treasure in some SUPER cute, hand-stamped canvas bags from Thunderpeep Designs to take home.


We also had a bench in the backyard so the kids could walk-the-plank! I planned on having a Truffle Shuffle dance-off, but the kids were having SO much fun playing outside, we just never got around to it!

When I started planning the GOONIES party Dane asked me if we could invite Sloth! I immediately got online, found a Sloth mask, Superman Shirt, red suspenders and made the purchase. The next day, Dane informed me that maybe he shouldn’t come to the party because, “Sloth kinda freaks me out sometimes Mom!” LOL! I told him it was rude to uninvite people, but if he was scared when Sloth got to the party, he didn’t have to see him. Well…Sloth arrived…Baby Ruth Bars in-hand…and most of the kids were willing to go up to him since he was giving out full-size candy bars. Dane hid in his playhouse and told Sloth he could just toss one up to him…SO funny!


After all of our guests went home, Dane told me his favorite part of the party was when Sloth came, but quickly added that he didn’t want him to visit again anytime soon!



This party was SO much fun to plan! He's STILL talking about it, and mentioning that Sloth came to his party...to say, the checkout ladies at Target, or anyone else that makes eye contact - LOL! I really can't WAIT to see what he has planned for NEXT year :)


Harper wasn't left-out of the FUN either...she went right up to SLOTH and claimed her Baby Ruth! Plus...she was the BEST DRESSED girl at the party! Check out this BEYOND ADORABLE upcycled GOONIES dress created by Little Overcoat! It is possibly the CUTEST, COOLEST, SWEETEST dress I've EVER seen!




One last thing...I just HAD to share this custom GOONIES snuggle blankie and pillow I had made for the Birthday Boy! You may recall the Elmo version his sister received for her birthday {HERE}...well...Dane was UBER jealous and asked for one of his own. Puddin' Pies delivered yet again! It's SO soft, snuggly, and TOUGH...plus, he traded in his old, yucky "baby" blankies to have it, so this thing was worth EVERY penny - LOL! I seriously think I need a grown-up sized one...I'm thinking a cupcake theme would be good ;)

 ~Audrey

Sources
Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats – Party desserts, photos and event styling
Squared Party Printables – GOONIES party package
Thunderpeep Designs – GOONIES cards and treasure pouches
Two Jennifers – Stamped Quarter Charms
Green Party Goods – Paper Straws, used as sticks for Cake Pops!
Puddin’ Pies – Custom Party Banner
Little Overcoat - Upcycled Toddler GOONIES dress

Please do not reproduce any part of this post without expressed consent. Thank YOU! 

Sunday, May 27, 2012

GOONIES PARTY: Sloth Cake Pops!

HEY YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!

Today is my son's 4th birthday...seriously...I don't even KNOW where the time went!

To celebrate we're having a GOONIES PARTY tomorrow! FUN right? It was his request, and after about 2 weeks of me suggesting alternative (i.e. easier to plan) party themes, I decided I better just embrace it and get crackin'! We LOVE the GOONIES around here...I'll be sharing more later (LOTS MORE)...but for now...here's a little SNEAK PEEK...

Meet CAKE POP SLOTH! Just one of many YUMMY treats that will be making an appearance :)


Sometimes, Cake Pops leak oil...mine do rarely...and when they do I remove the oil and patch the hole...but NOT on this guy! LOL! It was too perfect....like a sad little "Sloth LOVE Chunk!" teardrop :)
The tags are PERFECT and are the work of Squared Party Printables. She created a whole PARTY PACKAGE using the GOONIES theme!


I LOVE using paper straws as the "sticks" for a lot of my specialty Cake Pops! These FUN black & white paper straws are from Green Party Goods...Planet Friendly Products for any Celebration! Check out their shop...TONS of great party supplies :)



That's all for now...LOTS to do here!
~Audrey

Sunday, May 20, 2012

CRUNCH Coat Cupcakes

One of my absolute FAVORITE things about summer is...wait for it....ICE CREAM! Duh...right? We make weekly trips to our local Dairy Queen...and it was during one of those recent visits that I had the MOST AMAZING brain wave ;)

I love, as-in {LOVE} Crunch Cones from the DQ. I hope you know what I'm talking about, but sadly...I've come to learn that Crunch Coat topping is not a staple topping item at ALL DQs...this is a TRAVESTY! No..JOKE! If you are lucky enough to have experienced Crunch Coat firsthand...then you KNOW what the big deal is.

I've loved Crunch Coat since I was a little girl...it's a delicious peanut-brittle-like, sprinkle mixture...you can add it to sundaes, blizzards, on top of cones...or one of my personal faves...use it as a dip for your Dilly Bars (Cherry is BEST)...really...I think it would be good on just about anything...and YES...I do mean ANYTHING!

Naturally...since I often think in terms of CUPCAKES....I thought, what could be better than topping some yummy, simple VANILLA CUPCAKES with a heaping coat of CRUNCH topping??? The end result was FRICKIN' FANTASTIC! I'm not trying to toot my own horn here...but you know when they say that simple ideas are the BEST ideas? Well this would be a PERFECT example of that....SWEET, SIMPLE, DELICIOUSNESS!

So...let me introduce you to my VANILLA CRUNCH COAT CUPCAKES....drool away!



Peace OUT!
Audrey