10 sweet treats to make for Valentines

Clockwise starting left top corner: Love me love me not macarons (recipe and instructions),

Raspberry marshmallow heart fudge (recipe), Lollipop macarons (instructions),  

Tim Tam cookie pops (Recipe and instructions), Sweetie Valentine Cookies (Tutorial)

Conversation heart macarons (Instructions), Strawberry and cream cheesecake in a jar (Recipe Link)

Love is in the air cake pops (tutorial), High heel cupcakes (Tutorial Link), 

My love is blossoming for you cookies (Tutorial)

Yup, over the years I have made my share of Valentine treats.

Actually I think pretty much half of the stuff I make would make great Valentine treats, probably more than half, so I've rounded up 10 popular sweet treats from the past couple of years, the links are provided above under the picture.

Oh, and after I did up the 10 Valentine treats picture collage I came across these cookies I have always thought were cute so here is the link for them as well:

Are you thinking what I'm thinking cookies (Tutorial link)

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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission. 

Chocolate Raspberry Oreos for a quick afternoon tea party

Chocolate raspberry Oreos. Well if the name doesn't say it all I think the pictures do just fine.

I had half a pack of Oreos left over from the Valentine Oreos I made last weekend so I whipped up this little afternoon tea for the kids for when they get home.

Yup just a dollop of ready made chocolate frosting and then stick a fresh raspberry on top that you have washed and dried. Or a strawberry or any other type of berry would be lovely as well.

I actually piped my chocolate frosting on with a Wilton #21 piping tip, but any kind will do.

I picked my 2 tier platter up from 2 garnish, but here is a similar one I found online, plus a link for a cute little mercury glass tea light I spied as well:



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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission. 

Valentine Oreos - no bake easy to make treats

Mr Sweet and I have been married for 21 years this April. I'm not one to push unwanted advice upon others, and I realise that a marriage spanning multiple decades is not on everyone's must have or even mildly want list but for the rest of you I will share one of my secrets.

I have never given Mr Sweet a furry toy or any type of balloon that declares how much I love him.

Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it's just not our thing and Mr Sweet seems to be happy with that.
However chocolate with hearts, and in particular easy to make treats that have Oreo cookies included in some way, do seem to be the way to my man's heart.

 

These no bake Oreo Valentine treats I whipped are pretty much store bought cookies, topped with some chocolate frosting and then a handmade fondant topper pressed on top.

They are easy enough for nearly anyone to make and pretty enough that they would even look great on a party table and you can replace the Oreos with a homemade cookie, brownies or cupcakes if you like.

No Bake Oreo Valentine Treats
I've made a quick you tube tutorial so click on the picture below to check it out before you read the instructions below:

You Tube tutorial:



You will need:
Fondant toppers (see instructions below)
Oreo cookies
Chocolate frosting
piping bag with star tip (I used #22)

Place Oreo cookies on a baking tray. Swirl on a dab of chocolate frosting. Press a fondant topper on top of the frosting.

Store in an airtight container until required. Up to 3 days.

Fondant Topper Instructions
You will need to make toppers at least one day in advance. You can make one type or a variety:

White fondant#
Red fondant#
cutters (specific cutters under each photo instruction)#
small plastic rolling pin#
cornflour (cornstarch)
brush and water

#Fondant, rolling pin and cutters can be purchased at online cake and decorating stores, ebay or craft stores.

Line a flat tray with baking/ parchment paper.

Heart Toppers
This is the easiest topper and you can find heart cutters at most supermarkets or discount stores.

Cutters required: heart cutter approx 4cm (1 1/2")

 Dust workbench with cornflour (corn starch) and roll out red fondant until quite thin. Cut out heart shape and place on prepared tray overnight or until set.

Topper 2

Cutters required:
carnation cutter 5cm (1 5/8th")
5 petal heart cutter 2.5cm ( 1")

Dust workbench with cornflour (corn starch) and roll out white fondant until quite thin.Cut out carnation shape and place on prepared tray.

Roll out red fondant until thin and cut out the 5 petal heart cutter shape. Brush a little water into the middle of the white carnation shape and press the red 5 petal heart shape into the middle. Leave on tray overnight or until set.

Topper 3

Cutters/equipment required:
round scalloped cutter 4.5cm (1 3/4")

heart cutter approx 2.5cm ( 1")
toothpick

Dust workbench with cornflour (corn starch) and roll out white fondant until quite thin.Cut out round scalloped shape and place on prepared tray.

Roll out red fondant until thin and cut out the small heart shape. Brush a little water into the middle of the white scalloped round shape and press the red heart shape into the middle.Using the toothpick press a hole into each rounded scallop on the edge of the white round fondant shape.

Leave on tray overnight or until set.

 Topper 4 (pressed fondant flower)

Cutters/ingredients required:
rose/ flower cutter 6cm (1 7/8")
red sprinkles

Dust workbench with cornflour (corn starch) and roll out white fondant until quite thin.Cut out rose shape and place on prepared tray.

Pinch off a small amount of red fondant and roll into a round Brush a little water into the middle of the white rose shape and press the red fondant into the middle and then flatten out. Brush more water all over the red middle and then shake red sprinkles on the middle of the flower.

Leave on tray overnight or until set. Once set remove excess sprinkles.

I've added this idea over at Tip Junkie's Tip me Tuesday:


 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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission. 

Navy stripe and pink rose cake and a delightful afternoon tea party

My lovely friend celebrated her birthday a few days ago with an elegant navy stripe and hot pink themed afternoon tea.

It was a charming afternoon with her friends at a local venue with a traditional 3 tier afternoon tea service and I made a cake to work in with the theme.

Although I would love to say my cake was the highlight of the event, it was overshadowed completely by my friend who during her thank you speech graciously took the time to thank every guest and tell them why they were special in her life.

 
Fresh flowers on a simple white base trimmed with navy grosgrain ribbon and a pearl brooch. The cake was a traditional chocolate mud with chocolate ganache (a mix of 70/30 dark/milk lindt chocolate).

And I must tell you ganaching in Queensland in the middle of summer is less than awesome :)

Anyhoo I popped some baking paper in between the flowers and the cake to protect it just in case there was any type of residue on the flowers. You can see it in the close up below if you squint and look carefully.

The tables were decorated with fresh roses and co-ordinating navy grosgrain ribbon.

Guests received a lovely gift of earrings and a decorated cookie (by me) in a bag hand decorated by the hostess to co-ordinate with the theme.

It was a delightful afternoon.

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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission. 

Chocolate Cherry French Macarons

I had some left over macaron shells the other day and have been playing around with different fillings.

I think this chocolate and cherry one was the most delicious, the shells are french almond macaron made with the recipe in THIS POST (CLICK HERE).

Filled with a little chocolate ganache and black cherry halves and some dots of white chocolate ganache.

Then finished with another dab of ganach and a cherry.

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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission.

Black Bottom Cupcakes

 I love school holidays and spending more time with the kids.

Well up to a point. Yup, that point when everyone is BORED and HUNGRY and it seems like I'm the one who has to come up with a solution.

That's when having a few packets of Betty Crocker mix ready in the cupboard has been coming in handy these holidays.

Ah-huh, see what I did there. Oh yeah I solved the bored and hungry problem in one smooth move.

What I like about the Betty Crocker mixes is they are really simple enough the kids can mix them up with minimal help from me.

I love the proud looks on their faces when they serve up the finished cupcakes.

Plus I like to think that they learn a bit, like how to follow instructions in order and measure out ingredients.

We've put our own twist on the Betty Crocker super moist vanilla cupcake mix and come up with yummy black bottom cupcakes. 

Betty Crocker Black Bottom Cupcakes

1 packet Betty Crocker super moist vanilla cupcake
2 extra large eggs
1/2 cup milk
60g unsalted butter
2 Tbsp cocoa
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
Extra chocolate chips for serving

Preheat oven to 180C (160C fan forced) and line a 12 hole muffin tin with regular sized muffin paper cases.

Beat cupcake mix eggs milk and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on low for 30 seconds, then reduce speed to medium and mix for a further 2 minutes, remove half the batter and set aside.

Mix the 2 Tbsp of cocoa into the remaining batter and mix at medium speed for 30 seconds until combined. Fold in 3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips and divide the mixture evenly between the muffin cases.

Fold the remaining 3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips into the reserved batter and spoon onto the top of the chocolate cupcake mix filled cases.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly touched.

Swirl frosting (included in box) onto top of each cupcake and sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top.

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.

Disclosure: The ideas, words and opinions in this post are my own however this post was sponsored by General Mills.

Pink rose macarons with strawberry

Pink macarons with rose ganache and fresh strawberries

Yesterday was a bit hectic around here so today we are relaxing.

I think we might make some pink iced tea or lemonade and eat left over macarons.

Yup that sounds nice, about the pace I can manage today.

Photo notes:

Rose Macarons - recipe Bubble and Sweet blog CLICK HERE and just add strawberries
Pink Lemonade recipe - CLICK HERE for similar recipe
Rose/gingham tea towel - Ikea Evalill CLICK HERE
Pink Glasses - Ikea Krokett CLICK HERE
Stack of book - Sweets on a Stick: More Than 150 Kid-Friendly Recipes for Cakes, Candies, Cookies, and Pies on the Go! by Linda Vandermeer
Vintage china plate - Montrose Foley (part of a trio)

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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission.

You Tube Video - Cookie dress up dolls

Hi y'all. I have made up a video on how to make the edible clothes for the cookie dress up dolls I posted a bit back so you can see how really, really easy it is.

Like super easy, just as easy as clicking on the picture below.



I'm trying to get out a weekly video, it's my new goal so if you subscribe to my channel up in the kinda top right here on the blog or via youtube you should get updated when new video's come out.

If there is anything I've done in the past which you would like a video please let me know.

I've also made one for my sugar cookies as well (Click picture below for link) where I let the dough set really hard overnight and work it back to a workable consistency.


Those unicorn cookies (Click link below for link). Oh and I'm halfway through putting together the video on the wall mounted unicorn cake as well.



I hope you enjoy my video tutorials, I'm enjoying making them.

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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission.

Oh Deer these cup edge cookies are too cute

Oh deer these cookies are too cute to eat.

I joke.

Actually around here the cutest cookies get eaten first.

The cookies from these photo's ended up being eaten by the kids, they had them in their mini Greengate cups with hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Yes those little kid size cups are unbelievably cute
from previous collection of Greengate CLICK HERE for link

They are smallish, around 6cm (2 3/4")  in size and are made from a regular (although super cute) cutter. I just cut out a little bit extra with the leg to make a bit to sit on the latte cups.

Deer Aimee cutter by Cakes by Bien CLICK HERE

See how I did that, yup no need to buy special cookie cutters at all.

These cookies were made using my gingerbread cookies recipe, it doesn't spread so much so there was no need to recut the little indent bit after baking.

CLICK HERE for gingerbread recipe.

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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission.

Gingerbread people dress up cookie party

This year instead of slaving over a gingerbread house we made gingerbread people dress up cookies. It was fun, easy and I could let the kids eat one (or two) straight away without the stress of breaking up the whole house.

I baked up a big batch of gingerbread men and women (Cookie recipe here).

Then I quickly cut out some fondant clothes using the cookie cutter and the kids got to stick them onto the cookies with royal icing like a dress up toy.

I made sure there were stacks of clothes with different colors and accessories for the kids to choose from. Kids are amazing and see the world differently. I think it might be lovely to see the world with flower eyes :)

Oh my goodness my kids truly love this type of cookie decorating, just love it!

The Destroyer (being a creator), Bubble and I, Sweet and Bubble

Plus perfect for Christmas, well actually my kids want me to say it's perfect for any time ;)

The hardest part of all of this was coming up with a ginger cookie recipe that didn't spread too much (otherwise the fondant clothes would be too small for the cookies). But I spent 2 weeks testing my own recipe so y'all don't have to worry about that, just click on the link in the instructions below.

I made some little mini lollipops and candy canes as well, the kids thought they were super cool.

Note - I have in the past made similar dress up cookies for my daughter's birthday party - but these gingerbread ones are way, way, way easier - trust me. You can check out the original 'paper doll dress up cookie' inspiration HERE:

These are the original dress up doll cookies I made CLICK HERE to see details

Gingerbread people dress up cookies
Make the fondant/sugar clothes as per the instructions below. Once the clothes have set and become hard enough to pick up you can let the kids decorate the cookies by squeezing royal icing onto the cookie and sticking the clothes in place. They can also add gingerbread faces and other decorations as they like.

EDIT update: I've recorded an easy to follow youtube video tutorial here as well:


Gingerbread men and women cookies (Click here for Gingerbread cookie recipe)
Gingerbread men and women cookie cutters
Fondant various colours
Cornflour (cornstarch)
small rolling pin
sharp knife
frilling tool (can use toothpick instead)
Royal Icing (for final assembly)

Line a tray with parchment/ baking paper.

Gingerbread men fondant/sugar clothes
Roll out the fondant onto a workbench dusted with cornflour (cornstarch). Use the gingerbread man cutter to cut out shape and then the sharp knife to cut out the top and shorts (see picture below). If you like you can adhere shapes like a star onto the fondant cut outs. Place cut outs onto the tray lined with paper to dry overnight.

For striped shirt, cut out thin strips of fondant and press onto a contrasting color fondant with the rolling pin, then cut out shapes with cutter as described above. I added a thin strip of vertical fondant on the sleeve edge.

Gingerbread women fondant/ sugar clothes

Roll out the fondant onto a workbench dusted with cornflour (cornstarch). Use the gingerbread woman cutter to cut out shape and then the sharp knife to cut out the top and skirts (see picture below). Place clothes on paper lined tray to dry.

If you like you can make the skirts and edge of the top ruffled by using the frilling tool, press down on the fondant and gently roll back and forth. I also added a thin strip of contrasting color fondant to the sleeve edge of some tops before pressing down with the fondant tool.

You can also cut a second strip to make a 'pettiskirt' underneath, just use the frilling tool to roll back and forth and then stick it underneath the top skirt, you might need to add a small amount of water to adhere the 2 skirts together.

 To make a lace pattern on the edge use the sharp edge of the frilling tool (or a toothpick) to dot holes (see picture below for example).

Accessories

To make a lollipop you will need fondant in 4 different colours and a small length of spaghetti. Roll each colour of fondant into a long thin strip and the twist the fondant together. Starting in the middle wrap the twisted fondant around in a spiral to look like a lollipop. Push the spaghetti into the fondant lollipop disk.

 

The example in this picture only uses 2 colours and is bigger but same concept

 Small flowers pressed out of fondant make great accessories, I used a small ejector cutter.

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.

Original Ideas, photography and recipes by Linda Vandermeer do not reuse without permission.