Sweets!

Yep, these taste as good as they look. This Bocca Felice Sweet table was a huge success! Thank God for secret family recipes!

-Becky

On a Plate

Artisan Chocolates can make such a simple and elegant dessert plate. Pairing artisan chocolates with flavors such as sea salt, caramel, and bacon can make for a most amazing, flavor experience.

In these photos, taken by Daniel J Pesta, you can see how pretty the chocolates can look on a plate!







...Jessie

(Photo thanks to Daniel from Daniel J Pesta Photography)

Today I ...

was so lucky!

I drove to Grand Rapids, MI where I was lucky to see my sister for a few hours(that is a big deal since she lives so far away!) I was also lucky because Bocca Felice had the opportunity to provide the cupcakes for her Vita Dolce Sweet Table.
With Jessie by my side, I decorated 250 mini cupcakes in just one hour! I might just think about signing up for Cupcake Wars on the Food Network:)
What could be better than a table full of hand crafted chocolates and an assortment of freshly baked cakes with flavors like Margarita, Vanilla bean, and Coco Mocha? We had fun delivering the cupcakes and setting up the table at the reception hall. I have to also mention that I was lucky to see Dana. She not only is Jessie's partner in crime at Vita Dolce, but also a long time family friend. She is as close to being part of our family as one could possibly be. Her picture even hangs on my mothers Christmas tree every year!
All this to say that today was a lucky day.

Here are some sneak peak photos of the Sweet Table before the wedding day.

-Becky

Today I...

stood on my feet in the kitchen for hours! I was experimenting with fondant. If you have ever tasted fondant before you would know that, while it looks great, it does not always taste great. Well, I am here to tell you that my days of hunting for a perfect fondant recipe are over! I played with it for hours like a kid would play with play-doh. It can be rolled and shaped into whatever you want. It was so easy to work with that even Maggie, my four year old managed to roll it out. The secret to this fondant's great taste is the main ingredient. Any guesses??? Marshmallow!!! I challenge you to pass by that tempting pre-made fondant in the tub and make your own! Here is how... HAVE FUN!

Ingredients:

• 1(16 ounce) package miniature marshmallows
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 pounds confectioners' sugar, divided
  

Directions:

1. Place the marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on High for 30 seconds to 1 minute to start melting the marshmallows. Carefully stir the water and vanilla extract into the hot marshmallows, and stir until the mixture is smooth. Slowly beat in the confectioners' sugar, a cup at a time, until you have a sticky dough. Reserve 1 cup of powdered sugar for kneading. The dough will be very stiff.


2. Dust your hands really good with powdered sugar, and begin kneading the sticky dough. As you knead, the dough will become workable and pliable. Turn the dough out onto a working surface dusted with confectioners' sugar and continue kneading until the fondant is smooth and no longer sticky to the touche, 5 to 10 minutes.


3. Form the fondant into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. To use, allow the fondant to come to room temperature, and roll it out onto a flat surface dusted with confectioners' sugar.
   
   
   P.S. You can use what you want to and store the rest in a sealed container in the refrigerator for weeks.

-Becky