Shabby Chic Raspberry Chocolates

 

I've had an idea for a while that I would like a pretty garden tea party with the kids, we used to do it all the time but lately we seem to be too busy.

So this week we are slowing down.

Taking the time to take deep breaths.

Enjoying each other and simple fun things.

and not spending too long writing long blog posts.

Enjoy these pictures and know that although they look fantastic these little sweets take next to no time to make.

I found the little papers at a discount store they were $2 for 150 even plain papers would work, once you fill them and pop a pretty flower on top. Oh or polka dot papers would be cute too.

Oh did you know I'm on Instagram, as though you can't tell from the picture above ;)

Follow me on Instagram

 
Raspberry Cream Chocolates makes around 18 mini cups

 200 g (7oz) white chocolate
30g (approx 1oz) cream
1/2 tsp raspberry flavour
pink (or colour of choice the pink I used is Sugarflair dusky pink)
Optional - sugar flowers for decorating

  I use this raspberry essence oil

Place mini cupcake liners onto a flat baking tray.

Place white chocolate and cream in an microwave safe bowl, swirl around so the cream coats the chocolate. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Use a fork or whisk to gently mix until combined and free of lumps. Add the raspberry flavour and any food colour. Spoon evenly into mini cupcake papers. Once all the mixture is in the papers lift and give the tray a few raps on the workbench to help even the tops and reduce any air bubbles.

If you are decorating with sugar flowers place them on now before the mixture has time to set.

EDIT - I now have a tutorial on how to make your own sugar blossoms - CLICK HERE for link

Allow to set before serving. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Remove from fridge 20 minutes prior to serving.

Linda Vandermeer is a blogger, baker, maker and author of the cookbook ' Sweets on a Stick': More than 150 kid friendly recipes for cakes, candies, cookies and pies on the go!. Published in the US the book is available at most online book stores:

Link to Amazon:

Sweets on a Stick: More Than 150 Kid-Friendly Recipes for Cakes, Candies, Cookies, and Pies on the Go! 

Or at Fishpond (free shipping Australia)

 

 Sweets on a Stick: More Than 150 Kid-Friendly Recipes for Cakes, Candies, Cookies, and Pies on the Go!

Marshmallow pops, pretty polkadot sticks and Paper Wings w13

This is what happens when baking disasters happen. From the charred crumbs emerge......

These pretty pink marshmallow pops which were made in about 1 minute.

OK in truth it did take a couple of minutes for the chocolate to melt but I was doing something else in the kitchen so I'm not counting that.

 

Baking disasters are not unheard of around these parts as I create my own recipes sometimes it takes 3 or 4 or even more goes to get a recipe right.

So a baking disaster spells a blogging disaster and possibly no post. Well normally it would, but as it happens I had just received a bunch of super pretty treat sticks from Polkadot Prints.

Phew blogging disaster averted this week, in no time flat using the treat sticks and stuff I had already in my kitchen* I was able to come up with these pretty pops which are cute enough to serve at a party and simple enough for anyone to make.

* Yup I know most people might not already have sugar flowers and pink swirl marshmallows ready in the cupboard but I did and they are really pretty easy to find at short notice.

So I thinking tutorial not really needed here, more of an inspirational picture collage. Just grab a bunch of marshmallows, melt some chocolate, push pretty treat sticks into the marshmallows using the chocolate as glue, and then glue on some decorations like sugar flowers using the remaining melted chocolate. 

The trickiest bit is trying to insert the sticks in the right spot so the marshallows don't tip over, but that's only a problem if you are going to serve them standing upright. 

 Pink Polkadot Treat Sticks from Polkadot Prints

Paper Wings winter 2013 southern hemisphere (if you're in the northern hemisphere check out the super spring collection, loving the cat swimsuit).

So before I had the blog something the kids loved doing was having photo's taken in new clothes when they turned up. After a super busy year missing out on this I have realised how fast they are growing up and I am making an effort to get more pictures of the kids again.

Anyhoo these clothes were too lovely not to share with everyone, Paper Wings is one of my favorite brands available in Australia, the United States and many other countries.

Bubble wearing Paper Wings - Grey denim bustle jacket; top - bustle tee raspberry/red rapunzel; dark grey/cream rapunzel leggings.

left: top - bustle tee raspberry/red rapunzel; dark grey/cream rapunzel leggings. Right striped leggings black/cream heart.

Boots - Tamara S Black - Betts Kids

Grey denim bustle jacket; top - bustle tee raspberry/red rapunzel; dark grey/cream rapunzel leggings.

Puff Sleeve tee pink/black/cream fairy print; leggings black/cream heart.

Paperwings available online at these stores:
Australia
Buckets and Spades
Milly Molly Moo
Raindrops and Roses
Small World Children's boutique
also in Brisbane at Mama's Home.

US
Everything but the Princess
Little Skye
Little Luna Blue
For a full list of Paper Wings Stockists CLICK HERE

I joined in the fun and added my marshmallow pops at strut your stuff on SIX SISTERS STUFF

Linda Vandermeer is a blogger, baker, maker and author of the cookbook ' Sweets on a Stick': More than 150 kid friendly recipes for cakes, candies, cookies and pies on the go!. Published in the US the book is available at most online book stores:

Link to Amazon:

Sweets on a Stick: More Than 150 Kid-Friendly Recipes for Cakes, Candies, Cookies, and Pies on the Go! 

Or at Fishpond (free shipping Australia)

 

 Sweets on a Stick: More Than 150 Kid-Friendly Recipes for Cakes, Candies, Cookies, and Pies on the Go!