LuxiRare is the creator of these desserts and although there is not a specific recipe to go along with the stunning pictures, you can use any pie recipe that seems appealing to you and get store-bought dough to make your own pops.

 

Cupcakes
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups buttermilk, at room temperature

Whipped Cream Frosting
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons Oreo cookie crumbs

Garnish
24 Oreo cookie halves

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the brown sugar and continue beating until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated, being careful not to overmix.

Divide the batter between the prepared cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.

To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until the whipped cream holds stiff peaks. Gently fold in the cookie crumbs with a rubber spatula.

Transfer the whipped cream to a pastry bag and pipe frosting decoratively on top of the cupcakes. Garnish with Oreo cookie halves.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk

Icing:

• 1 1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated lime zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions

1 drop green food coloring

• 6 large ripe strawberries, hulled
• Green sanding sugar
• Fresh mint leaves or candied leaves

Equipment: 6-cup jumbo muffin tin

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

In another medium bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until light and foamy, about 2 minutes. While beating, gradually pour in the butter and then the vanilla.

While mixing slowly, add half the dry ingredients, then add all the milk, and follow with the rest of the dry ingredients. Take care not to over mix the batter. Divide the batter evenly in the prepared tin.

Bake until a tester inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cupcakes on a rack in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove. Cool on the rack completely.

For icing: Mix the confectioners’ sugar and lime zest in a medium bowl. Add the lime juice and mix with an electric mixer to make a firm but pourable icing. (If needed, add up to 1 teaspoon more juice, but take care if the icing is too loose it doesn’t set properly.) Add food color to make a pale pastel green icing.

To assemble: Remove cupcake from its liner. Cut and remove a strawberry (coned) shaped portion of cupcake from the top of each cupcake, leaving about 1/2 to 1-inch of cake in the bottom. Stuff each cake with a strawberry and cover with a little bit of cake. Spoon and spread icing over the top of the cupcakes. Sprinkle with green sanding sugar. Top with small mint leaves or candied leaves.

Copyright 2007 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

If you are the maid-of-honor, chances are you are trying to decide what exactly you want to do for the last farewell. You don’t want a party that’s cheesy, boring, and/or offensive to those who will be attending. That’s a lot of information keep in mind when looking for the right theme. Now that we’ve been researching for ShowersBlog for a while, a few themes we’ve discovered seem to satisfy all of the decency requirements, while allowing for a bit of freedom and tailoring to fit the bride’s individual personality. Honestly, it’d be pretty hard to go wrong with one of the following.

Stock a Bar Shower- This is a great theme for social brides/couples who will definitely entertain after saying ‘I Do’. Guests are asked to bring gifts relating to the drinks bar, but general entertaining could help broaden the range if needed. Décor can be anything from bottle lined tables, mock liquor, a designated ‘bartender’ complete with bar set-up, handmade brand signs, and for classier looks, votive candles littered throughout the rooms. This theme works well for the holiday season and co-ed showers. Suggested gift/party items: various wines, spirits, beer and mixers, corkscrews, bottle stoppers, a pitcher, a selection of glasses, bottle racks, a cocktail shaker and mixing instructions, cocktail recipe book, olives, cherries, etc.

Honeymoon Shower- This shower theme requires the guests to bring items which will be useful to the couple when they are on honeymoon or while traveling to the honeymoon location. If you can find out where the couple plans to honeymoon(or where they would like to honeymoon), you can decorate and cater according to that location. Suggested gift/party items: luggage, protective cosmetics, activity attire (ski goggles, swim suite/trunks, hiking backpack, etc.), travel guide books, cultural/region specific music compilation.

A Gift Basket Shower: This theme is awesome for variety and uniqueness. Just ask each guest to bring a basket, box or container filled with imaginative goodies for a designed area of the home or a specific purpose (i.e. romance, indulgence, fun). This allows the guest to be imaginative and creative. A great game could be derived around what each basket is supposed to symbolize/represent. Be sure to have the guests include a card with the basket identifying the theme and listing all of the items in the basket. This will also be very helpful when it is time to send thank you notes.

Around the World Shower: This shower is great for the multicultural bride/couple. You can assign or let each guest pick a specific country, region, or culture that their gift should represent. Just makes sure you keep track of who’s assigned to what place so there are no duplicates. Foods can be a hodge-podge of various cuisine favorites (eggrolls, sushi, taquitos, plantain, etc.), and flags, cultural art and/or regional scenes can serve as the party décor.

Spa/Indulgence Shower- Who wouldn’t want a shower based solely on indulgence, relaxation, and pampering? There are 3 basic options to having this theme. The host can hold the party in her home and prepare the treatments and food spread as a laissez-fair, do it your self day with the girls. Just have each bring a gift specific to a certain type of treatment (body, hair, nails, etc.). Another way would be for the host to hold the event in her home and arrange to have professional masseuses, cosmologists, and manicurists come to her home for a Semi-DIY. The host would only need to provide the ambiance, the décor, and the delicacies. Finally, the host may arrange to have the event at a spa location that is open for private parties, complete with catering for The Full Spa-Monty. Anyway you do it, a good time is sure to be had by all.

The Bridal Open-House
This is a great idea for brides who are having a destination wedding or are really low-key and family oriented. For this set-up you only need a location, preferably somewhere open and conducive to mingling, a table for gifts, a table for food, minimal decorations, a small radio and lots of places to sit and chat. During the hours of this open house, guests can swing by, drop off gifts, express their well-wishes to the bride-to-be, mingle, and then go about their day. There are no games, no coordinated events or themes, certainly no pressure. All the bride has to do is eat, enjoy, and socialize.

Bridal Brunch
The bridal brunch is just as it sounds, a brunch with the bride. This brunch can be hosted or it can be done at a nice restaurant favored by the bride. There may be a few toasts here and there, but for the most part, it’s just relax, have a mimosa or two, and enjoy. This is best for small groups or bridesmaids and family only celebration.

Girl’s Day Out
The Girl’s Day Out involves bridesmaids and the bride. It can also include the mother of the bride, but the agenda of the day will determine whether or not it’s a ‘mom’ type excursion. This Day Out will comprise of a morning and afternoon spent doing all of the things the bride loves to do. Start the day by going to a museum or art gallery, visit the zoo, or some other cultural center. Take a breather by having lunch at her favorite restaurant, then swing by the salon for a manicure and pedicure. Afterward go see the latest chic flick, and/or wind up the day with dinner and dessert, and some cocktails at a local happy hour. The possibilities are endless, and given that all the events are tailored to the bride’s likes, she’s bound to have a great time.

Spa-Day
Spa-day is self-explanatory and perfect for the bride who just loves to be pampered. Starting the day with a nice breakfast before visiting the spa would get everyone in the right frame of mind. There are many places now that cater to these types of bridal showers and offer special packages, which include tasty dishes perfect for grasping with wet fingernails.

The Wedding Dress Excursion
This excellent idea came from 5thyear, a party theme generating company. This event is perfect for brides who want a mild bachelorette party experience without all of the attention. For this, the bride get’s to dress in nice, everyday attire while all the ladies attending must wear a used/undesirable wedding dress. They can either go out to a local bar or just hang out at home (it’s a lot more fun out in public), and the ladies get to show the bride-to-be just how much ‘fun’ she’ll be leaving behind after saying I-do. Check out the link to read an excellent account of this type of party at its best.

One Crafty Event
This final suggestion is for the bride who likes to get her hands in the mix. Is she crafty, a scientist in the kitchen, a commendable nature lover with a green thumb? Whatever her pleasure is, center a morning, afternoon, or day around it. If she likes crafts, organize a special party and demonstration at the local hobby store? If she likes gardening, why not have your rendition of a garden party at a local flower garden, complete with a mid-day picnic. Does she like to cook? Well make the day a regular culinary event by taking a course or two, or by hosting a kitchen and cooking party. Any event centered around her leisure-love is sure to be a big hit.

Good luck, and if you’ve come up with your own party ideas, feel free to share them with us!