Need New Ideas for Kiddo's Birthday Parties?

Decorating Cake Parties

Tired of the same ole kind of birthday parties? Well, I have a great idea for your next kiddo's birthday. I recently met with the owner of Scribble Cakes and had the the privledge of sampling their recently added rainbow cake. I ate all of it so quickly because it was so moist and delicious.

Here's the scoop. For $250.00 your child can have a birthday party for themselves and 10 of their friends. The birthday boy or girl can choose from various cake themes or create a theme that best suits their personality. Then, Scribble Cakes goes to work matching your theme with a fabulous and unique design. Then, they bake the individual mini cakes. Here's the change....the kiddo's get to decorate the cakes themselves. How much fun does that sound like? Scribble cakes will deliver the cakes and all of the goodies including icing, decorations, clean up tools, etc to your home or party location. Scribble Cakes supplies everything. They want to provide you and your children with a great and unique experience that the kiddo's will remember for a very long time. I think they do a great job at it too!

To contact Scribble Cakes, go to www.scribblecakes.com or call 972-342-0302

Debbie Viverito

Cozy Coffee and Bakery Shop: Coffee N Cream

Cozy Coffee and Bakery Shop – Coffee N Cream
By Debbie Viverito
December 15th, 2011


I started my DFW Sweets blog earlier this month and was so excited to be invited by the owners of Coffee N Cream to come and write a review of their shop. Secretly, I have been craving a new, yet small and comfortable coffee shop, so I couldn’t wait for our appointment. I had passed Coffee N Cream at Legacy and Eldorado many times but had not stopped for a visit. I arrived and let the owner know I was there. While waiting, I ordered a vanilla latte. Meanwhile, my eyes were dancing wildly at the fairly large display holding many beautifully decorated baked items. Let me emphasize the fact that I love cookies, cakes, pies. Basically, if something is made with flour and sugar, I’m all over it.

At first vanilla latte sip, I noticed how smooth the drink was in comparison to what I normally order from larger coffee houses. It was nice. It wasn’t overly sweet as some vanilla syrups can be. So, I start settling into my potential new coffee house while waiting for John to arrive. While waiting, I chatted with some of the employees. Very nice and informative. Inviting. I knew the shop sold coffee but didn’t realize they a had received Reader’s Choice for their coffee two consecutive years. I’m thinking….where have I been all this time?

John and I connected and I learned how he and his wife started their business in 2006. Impressive story indicating many awards along their journey for their coffee and baked goods. While we were talking, and I continued to admire the baked goods display, he told me about how they launched a special occasion line earlier this spring. As he was talking, my eyes were moving from left to right and up and down at all the vibrant colored bakery delights. I couldn’t help but think about what I was going to order and how I was going to stay on my pretend diet. I saw a pale yellow and sweet baby shower cake. Then, a beautiful 4 tiered wedding cake. Another adorable cake was obviously made for someone that loves to fish. So cute. While I was there, I also had the chance to meet the bakery manager, Linda. What a nice lady. She, along with 3 other bakers, make everything in the shop from scratch. Very impressive. After several minutes passed, I finally decided to try their number 1 selling item which is their mocha brownie. The flavor was so delightful and chocolaty intense. Rich, dense and moist. I really am not sure there is a better brownie anywhere in Frisco.

When visiting a new coffee shop, it’s obviously crucial that the coffee is simply hot and delicious. Coffee N Cream over delivered. It was a pure bonus to discover the baked treats. Not to mention a feast for my sweet filled eyes. Coffee N Cream isn’t tiny, but it isn’t overly large either. It’s just the right space to order, find a spot and sit down without having to share the space with so many others. Nice flowers were in a vase on the table along with a comment card. A nice, special and inviting touch.

John and Mary Ennen are the owners and will welcome you to Coffee N Cream providing you a cozy, yet nice neighborhood environment that sometimes can be hard to find North of LBJ. Please stop in and say hello.

Coffee N Cream has two DFW locations: Frisco and Allen
Website: www.mycoffeencream.com

Taralli Dolci Di Pasqua

Taralli Dolci Di Pasqua (Easter Ring Cookies)
My husband is Italian. SO, I'm forced to love most all Italian food. Lucky for me, that comes naturally to me. While shopping at Jimmy's near downtown Dallas last week, I discovered these little cookies named Taralli. Mostly, the cookies are made around Easter time, but they are very appropriate for any holiday due to the sprinkles that are used on top of the cookie. I've included a recipe below. Or, you can always go to Jimmy's and buy some already made. Eat in the car on the way home! That's my kind of eating!


Taralli Dolci Di Pasqua (Easter Ring Cookies
2-3/4 C all purpose flour

3/4 Tbsp baking powder

3 eggs

1/2 C granulated sugar

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Icing
3 C confectioners' sugar

1/4 C water

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp lemon extract

multi-colored nonpareils

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets and set aside.

In a large bowl combine the flour and baking powder.

In a medium bowl, add the eggs, whisking to break them up. Slowly whisk in the sugar, then the melted butter and vanilla. Whisk until everything is very well combined. With a rubber spatula, fold the egg mixture into the flour mixture.

Knead the dough lightly (this is where it says to turn out to a floured surface but I kneaded it right in the bowl). Pinch the dough off into about 1-inch ball sizes and roll between your hands to make a rope about 4-5 inches long. Pinch the ends together to form a circle and place on prepared pans about 1-inch apart.

Bake about 22-25 min until puffed and golden brown. Cool on racks before icing.

For the icing:
Set your wire rack over a cookie sheet.

Combine all ingredients, adding the water just 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach a slightly thick, but still pourable consistency.

Taking one cooled cookie, turn it upside down and dip it in the bowl of icing. Turn it back over and return to the wire rack, allowing the excess to drip off.

Sprinkle with multi-colored nonpareils while still wet (I dip 4 at a time then sprinkle and repeat).

Dogs need Special Sweet Treats too!

I had to stop by the emergency vet at Main and Preston the other day to pick up meds for one of our aging dogs with back trouble. While there, I was so surprised to see their small but cute selection of decorated cookies for dogs. They are so cute! I had to share with you.

I also thought you may like to make some dog treat cookies for your sweet babies. Below is a simple recipe:

DOG BISCUITS

2 c. flour
2 c. whole wheat flour
2 c. boiling water
4 bouillon cubes
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. baking powder

Mix all ingredients. Roll out 1/4" thick on floured surface. Cut with cutters in desired shape. Bake at 350 degrees for half an hour. Let set overnight.

Decorated Christmas Cookies - Quick and Easy Pickup

Beautiful cookies makes my heart beat a little faster. Does it do the same thing for you? This morning, I stopped into Celebrity Bakery in Frisco, Texas. What a feast for all senses. The shelves were full of shiny and brighly decorated cookies. Everything from red velvet cake balls, Vanilla Petit Fours, Bright red rice krispie treats and their famous beautifully decorated cookie cutter cookies. Gorgeous. They also have a "Grab and Go" table display full of Christmas goodies when you need a quick fix or nice baked goods for a special occasion.

Celebrity bakery has many locations throughout the Dallas area. I visited the Frisco bakery today located at Preston and Gaylord. My favorite in the Highland Park Village (Mockingbird and Preston) in Dallas. Simply the best cookies in the city. Tip: Call to place order in advance if you go the the HP location. It's a must during the holiday's.

Have a sweet weekend,

Debbie

Black and White Cookie - Vanilla and Dark Chocolate Fondant

If you haven't tried a traditional NY Black and White cookie, you must add it to your to-do list. It's soft, chewy and oh so delicious. It's the best of both worlds visiting one another and offering a few bites of vanilla and some dark chocolate too. What's not to love about that?
Where to purchase in Dallas:

Downtown Dallas area:
Jimmy's Italian food and grocery:
They are made in NJ and shipped to Dallas.

Ferrari's Pizzeria (Plano)
Homemade Black and white cookies.
http://ferrarispizzeria.com/

Need a Sweet Gift?

Find out someones favorite pie and make them an individual pie for Christmas. They will love the pie and you for being so thoughtful. Cooking.com sells the perfect dish.
http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=289427