Drink it // Mexican Hot Chocolate

With a chill in the air and a good frost most mornings, Winter has definitely arrived in the South! My nightly routine now involves copious amounts of warm drinks and sitting in front of the fire to keep warm....and not much else, honestly!

I like to buy those tiny bottles of spirits from the liquor store. I use them for cupcakes usually, but occasionally they make their way into a hot chocolate or coffee.

In the weekend I tried out a Mexican Hot Chocolate. Follow my instructions below to make your own!

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

Milk (Yep - that's zero latose milk, so good!!)

Tequila

Hot Chocolate Powder

Chili Powder

Cinnamon

1. Heat milk, add chocolate powder, then use a frother on it. Alternatively, use a coffee machine to steam your milk.

2. Add 1/2 a shot (or more if you want!) tequila to your cup.

2. Add in your steamed/frothed milk.

4. Sprinkle with a pinch of chili powder, a pinch of cinnamon and some more chocolate powder. 

I served mine with a couple of pieces of chocolate on the side, marshmallows just didn't seem right! This is perfect to warm you up on a cold night - don't go overboard on the tequila as it could be overpowering. Half a shot seemed just right for mine, I personally wouldn't add anymore than that!

I hope this gives you a nifty idea to jazz up your hot drinks. Even just a pinch of chili powder and a bit of cinnamon on it's own would be enough to make it extra special. Enjoy!

Recipe Post // Cupcakes in a Jar

Next Tuesday evening I’m going to the Winery Tour concert being held in Cromwell – my favourite place in Central Otago. I’m so excited! Gin Wigmore is performing, I’ve liked her music for quite a while so I’m keen to see what she’s like live.

You aren’t able to take alcohol or drinks (except sealed water bottles I think) into the grounds, but you can take food. So I thought it would be a cool idea to take along a picnic! I’ve been wanting to try out the “cupcake in a jar” thing for a while and this is the perfect excuse.

I had an order of cupcakes due today for a customer (my business is Sequin Corner – come visit my Facebook page!) and I had some leftover, so I made a trial run. My favourite flavour is coffee and I just so happened to have a bottle of Kahlua lying around in the cupboard so I thought I’d make a yummy sauce to go with my cupcakes.

You will need;

A cupcake sized jar

Frosting of your choice

Baked cupcakes of your choice

Sauce of your choice

Coffee Frosting

115g Butter, softened

500g Icing Sugar

1 t Vanilla

60ml Instant Coffee (1/2 t coffee mixed with a dash of hot water, then made up to 60ml with cold water)

2 t Ground Coffee

Using an electric mixer – combine the butter, vanilla, coffee & half the icing sugar until creamy. Add the remaining icing sugar & beat until combined. Use a spatula to transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a piping nozzle.

**I found this recipe somewhere on the internet, but I can’t remember where sorry!

Kahula Sauce

125g Butter

1 C Castor Sugar

1 Egg

1/2 C Kahlua

1 t Cream

Melt the butter in a saucepan on low heat. Add the sugar & egg & whisk to combine. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth & creamy and all the sugar is melted. Add in the Kahlua & cream & whisk to combine. Pour into a jug or bowl until ready for serving.

**Recipe from Simply Recipes – I altered the amount of Kahlua. 

1.    Take cupcake paper off, trim to fit in jar, & chop in 1/2. Place the cupcake 1/2 in the jar & pipe a layer of frosting over.

2.    Drizzle over a layer of the sauce. Repeat from the start – cake, frosting, sauce.

3.    I added 1 more cupcake half (my jar is tall) a layer of frosting & a final drizzle of sauce.

4.    The finished “Cupcake in a Jar”

These are so yummy! (and quite sweet!) Next time I might try layering one with custard and fruit, possibly to take to the concert. You could easily swap out the frosting and sauce I used and replace them with something else – ganache & caramel sauce, custard & pureed apples with cinnamon, raspberry puree & cream...the opportunities are endless! 

I made mine pretty by covering the tops with a paper doily tied on with string & threading a cake fork through the bit where you open the jar (I love my little fork with the piggy on it above!) you could just as easily attach a little plastic spoon or fork with some string or ribbon.  

Have you tried making cupcakes in a jar before? Or pies? I think it's a great picnic idea! Hope you all have a great weekend. 

12th day of Christmas // After Dinner Mints

Grandparents are always a hard one to buy for I find. I usually buy my Granddad some after dinner mints as that’s his favourite treat, so this year I thought I’d make some instead!

I did a bit of research around the internet and adapted a recipe I found. It’s so easy and simple to make these! Mine are a bit bigger than the ones you can buy but that’s not necessarily a bad thing aye?

You will need;

Ingredients as per below

Two bowls (one for chocolate, one for the peppermint mixture)

Rubber gloves

A spatula

A fork

A microwave

1/2 Can Condensed Milk

3 C Icing Sugar

1 t Peppermint Essence

1 t Kremelta

300g Chocolate (I used 1 1/2 blocks of Cadbury Old Gold chocolate)

1. Add the condensed milk, essence and icing sugar to a bowl.  

2. Mix together wearing gloves to form a stiff dough.  

3. Roll teaspoons of the mixture into balls and place on a baking paper covered tray.

4. Flatten slightly with a spoon dipped in icing sugar to prevent sticking. Leave to dry for 1/2 an hour. 

5. Add the chocolate and kremelta to a bowl and microwave 30 secs at a time until melted.  

6. Use a fork to dip the peppermints into the chocolate and quickly flip them over to cover.

7. Take out the peppermint, wipe the base of the fork on the edge of the bowl and gently jiggle the after dinner mint onto a clean baking paper covered tray.  

8. Gently touch the fork to the top of the mint and pull it away to the front to make the little ridges after dinner mints usually have.

Leave them to set on the tray. They will take a little bit longer because of the added kremelta but they will have a nice finish to them! I managed to make about 28 from one batch.

Once they are all set, just package them up however you like. I think mine will go into cellophane bags, tied with some string and a gift tag!

Like all of my '12 Days of Christmas' DIY tutorials, there is a PDF version of this blog post here. Simpy click on the link, print out the tutorial and get to work. Easy as that. Feedback appreciated!

Make sure to check out the rest of my “12 Days of Christmas” posts for more awesome decorating ideas, recipes, and gift ideas!

10th Day of Christmas // Chocolate Sleigh

At the last Dunedin Sugarcraft Club meeting I went to in Dunedin we were shown some different Christmas-themed demonstrations. My favourite was this awesome chocolate sleigh!

It would look great as a centrepiece on your table, filled up with yummy chocolates. When you’ve finished all those you can start nibbling the sleigh too! It would also make a cool present filled with chocolates or truffles and wrapped up in cellophane with a ribbon. 

You will need;

1 Bag Chocolate Buttons (I used Nestle)

Baking Paper

Sleigh Pattern – you can find that here

Piping bag

Round-tip Nozzle

1. Melt 1/2 the chocolate in microwave – 30 secs at a time until melted. Don’t burn it!

2. Add 1/4 more buttons to the chocolate but don’t microwave – just stir until they have melted.

3. Lay pattern on a table or board and cover with a piece of baking paper.

4. Fill piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle with chocolate and pipe around edge of sleigh pattern (5mm thick)

5. Spoon chocolate into the centre of the sleigh pieces, spread to the edges and then leave to dry.

6. Once the pieces are dry, set up the base, one side and the back piece leaning against glasses and pipe chocolate in the inside corners to stick them together.

7. Add the front end piece and stick with more chocolate, then the other side.

8. Leave the sleigh to dry until all the chocolate is set.

Once the pieces are dry, set up your sleigh on a presentation plate and fill up with your favourite chocolates – I’m using peppermint and strawberry Roses chocolates!

Yum yum!! You can make your sleigh out of dark, milk or white chocolate – it’s up to you. Just remember white chocolate is a little harder to work with than the other 2 – be very careful when you are melting it! 

PS: Sorry todays post is a day late! I was busy all day yesterday at Andrews work do at the races. I'll have an outfit post up next week with what I wore!

Like all of my '12 Days of Christmas' DIY tutorials, there is a PDF version of this blog post here. Simpy click on the link, print out the tutorial and get to work. Easy as that. Feedback appreciated!

Make sure to check out the rest of my “12 Days of Christmas” posts for more awesome decorating ideas, recipes, and gift ideas!

1st Day of Christmas // Hot Drinks in a Jar

Last year I discovered some recipes for homemade hot drink mixes while snooping around the internet. I came up with my own versions modified from some of the recipes I found and I’m going to give them as gifts for Christmas this year!

My Dad goes away tramping some weekends and he loves cappuccino’s – so I’m going to make a homemade cappuccino mix he can take with him and just add hot water too – no need to take with him the tiny bottle of milk he usually does!

Below I've included some picture tutorials of the recipes I'm using for my hot drinks gifts.  Instead of actual jars I have decided to use these white lidded plastic containers I found at The Warehouse. While I love the way the jars look, by the time I fill them with ingredients they'll end up being preeeetty heavy so I'm keen to keep the weight down by using plastic. Price-wise they were about the same (approx NZ$3 each)

You will need;

Plastic containers or preserving jars, it’s up to you (mine are 400ml)

Milk Powder (Full or Trim – personal preference)

Coffee-Mate

Instant Coffee Powder (Make sure it’s powder, not granules!)

Hot Chocolate Powder (For Mocha or Hot Chocolate Mix)

Various spices – see the ones listed below

A bowl, spoon, sift and cups for measuring and mixing

Labels – check the corresponding recipe for the PDF label you are after!

Glue to stick on your labels

Basic Mix Instructions

(Cappuccino, Mocha, Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread)

1. Sift all ingredients except the sugar into a bowl.

2. Add the sugar to the other ingredients.

3. Stir everything together and then fill your container

4. Glue the back of your labels and stick them to your container. 

Mixes Flavoured with Essence Instructions

(Vanilla, Peppermint Hot Choc)

1. Add sugar to bowl, sprinkle essence over and mix through to remove lumps.

2. Sift in remaining ingredients

3. Stir everything together and then fill up your container

4. Glue the back of your labels and stick them to your container.

Smooth-as Cappuccino Mix:

1/2 C Powdered Instant Coffee

1/3 C Milk Powder

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Coffee-Mate (Coffee creamer - it should be with all the coffee in your supermarket)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Sift to remove any lumps, then pour into container and label. Makes approximately 12 servings. 

**This amount of mix will nicely fill a 400ml (13.5oz) container which is what I'm using. 

                                                                                                           

You can find a PDF of the labels for "Smooth-as Cappuccino Mix" I made here - you can print them, cut them out and stick them on your own jars or containers!

Totally Morish Mocha Mix:

1/4 C Powdered Instant Coffee

1/4 C Hot Chocolate Powder (like Cadbury's or similar)

1/3 C Milk Powder

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Coffee-Mate

Repeat process as for Cappuccino mix. 

 You can find a PDF of the labels for "Morish Mocha Mix" I made here - you can print them, cut them out and stick them on your own jars or containers!

Spicy Gingerbread Latte Mix:

 
1/3 C Powdered Instant Coffee

1/3 C Milk Powder

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Coffee-Mate

1 t Ground Ginger

1 t Hot Chocolate Powder

Repeat process as for Cappuccino Mix.

You can find a PDF of the labels for "Gingerbread Latte Mix" I made here - you can print them, cut them out and stick them on your own jars or containers!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix:

1/3 C Powdered Instant Coffee

1/3 C Milk Powder

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Coffee-Mate

1/2 t Cinnamon

1/2 t Ginger

1/4 t Allspice

1/4 t Nutmeg

Repeat process as for Cappuccino Mix. 

You can find a PDF of the labels for "Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix" I made here - you can print them, cut them out and stick them on your own jars or containers!

Sweet Vanilla Latte Mix:

1/3 C Powdered Instant Coffee

1/3 C Milk Powder

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Coffee-Mate

1 t Vanilla Essence

Place sugar in a bowl. Add vanilla essence and stir in until there are no lumps. Add the remaining ingredients and sift to remove any lumps. Pour into container.

You can find a PDF of the labels for "Sweet Vanilla Latte Mix" I made here - you can print them, cut them out and stick them on your own jars or containers!

Peppermint Hot Choc Mix:

1/2 C Hot Chocolate Powder

1/3 C Milk Powder

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C Coffee-Mate

1 t Peppermint Essence

Repeat process as for Vanilla Latte Mix.

You can find a PDF of the labels for "Peppermint Hot Choc Mix" I made here - you can print them, cut them out and stick them on your own jars or containers!

The instructions for how to make up your hot drink mix is written on the tag, but just so you know I’ve included a picture demonstration below.

1. Add approximately two tablespoons of your chosen mix to a coffee cup.

2. Add boiling water to the cup (you don’t need to add milk, but you could if you like it milky!)

3. Stir well to combine.

4. Drink up and enjoy!! 

 I’ve been busy making trial versions of all of the drinks listed to make sure they all taste good. My favourite so far would be the Mocha Mix – it tastes just like a cafe one, minus the foam of course! The gingerbread one is great for a cold day and you can’t go past a basic milky Cappuccino every now and then!

Of course you could use the recipes above and vary them to suit your tastes. A caramel latte mix would be yummy, as well as a bit of brandy essence instead of vanilla would be a nice Christmassy drink! 

Like all of my '12 Days of Christmas' DIY tutorials, there is a PDF version of this blog post here. Simpy click on the link, print out the tutorial and get to work. Easy as that. Feedback appreciated!

Make sure to check out the rest of my “12 Days of Christmas” posts for more awesome decorating ideas, recipes, and gift ideas!

Recipe Post // Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding

I’m not even sure where I found this recipe originally, but I’ve been making it off by heart since I was 16 and it’s always been a favourite whenever I’ve pulled it out. It’s such a simple recipe and the ingredients are so basic so it was perfect to feed my flatmates back when I was a poor student!

You really can’t go past chocolate self-saucing pudding. I like mine straight-up (I’m a sweet tooth!) while Andrew usually drowns his in milk or cream if there is any floating around.

I’m trying out some new picture tutorials for my recipes as suggested by one reader. Thank goodness for long almost-summer evenings so I have light for my photos! This is a pretty basic one to start but I hope it helps some people. Either way I had fun taking the photos!

Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding

50g Butter

1 C Plain Flour

1/2 Sugar

1/2 C Milk

2 t Baking Powder

2 T Cocoa (I usually add 2-3 I like it extra chocolaty!)

1/2 C Brown Sugar

1 T Cocoa

1 1/2 C Boiling Water

Preheat your oven to 180°C.

1. Melt Butter in a pot, take off the heat & add flour, sugar, milk, baking powder and cocoa.

2. Mix everything together and spread into the base of a greased tin.

3. Combine 2^nd measure of cocoa and brown sugar and sprinkle over sponge.

4. Gently pour the boiling water over the top of the sponge and place in the oven.

Bake the pudding for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

This amount of pudding will serve 4-5 people nicely. I hope you enjoy it!

I must get around to doing an outfit post this week! It’s been ages since I have dressed up to be honest. Ah, the pitfalls of working from home and wandering around in track pants all day...I think I’ll have to change that!

I hope all you guys over in the USA had a great thanksgiving weekend. It looks like so much fun! Now I’m really looking forward to Christmas dinner with my family. I can’t believe it’s only a month away! Speaking of Christmas, I’ll be having a 12 days of Christmas special here on my blog starting the 1^st of December!! I hope to have a sneak-preview post up in the next couple of days for you to check out and see what might be coming up. There will be gift ideas, recipes and decorating DIY’s. I can’t wait!!

Also, is anyone else having a problem where Blogger keeps logging you out when you are writing a post? I keep losing what I've written  and it's driving me nuts! I've sent a tweet to blogger and feedback but haven't heard anything back :,( Any help would be appreciated!

Cake Day Monday // Baby Shower Cupcakes

 

Red Blazer - Savemart Invercargill, Lace T-Shirt - Salvation Army Mosgiel,  

Black and White Skirt - Kmart, Black Tights - Won from NZgirl and Razzamatazz,  

Black Boots - The Warehouse, White Rose Earrings - The Warehouse

Hello Monday! I spent the weekend up in Dunedin, attending the monthly meeting my cake Decorating Club holds and helping out at my sisters baby shower!

I made these yummy cupcakes on Saturday and then iced them on Sunday morning. I used little blue fondant flowers as decorations as my sister is having a baby boy! It was a bit of a mission as there were about 30 people invited, so I made 32 cupcakes with only one 12 hole muffin tin...about 2 hours later I was finished!! It was worth it though, as most of them were gobbled up and the 20 or so business cards I left nearby had disappeared once it was clean up time. 

The shower was so fun, my sister got some amazing presents - people are so generous!! My little nephew is gonna be the best dressed baby in town! I made her a mobile with sea creatures, a palm tree and a surf board on it (she has a surf board and her favourite movie is Blue Crush) she loved it!

Hope you all had a great weekend! What did you get up to? 

Cake Decorating // Angry Birds Party

I had to post these photos of the cake I made last night - I'm so proud of it! A friend contacted me through Facebook to see if I would make her an Angry Birds cake for her boyfriends birthday. Of course I said yes!!

For anyone who doesn't know, Angry Birds is a game app you can download on your iPhone. Most of my friends that have iPhones love this game!

I had so much fun making all the birds and the pigs. While I was making them I had to explain how the Angry Birds game worked to my parents! Ah parents. My favourite is the little white dopey bird with the yellow cheeks, he's so cute!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I spent mine in the sunshine with my puppy, making cakes and relaxing!

Cake Decorating - Heart Cupcakes

A friend ordered these cupcakes the other day as she was leaving her job to start in a new position with the same company. She wanted chocolate flavoured cupcakes with a pretty coloured icing and girly decorations. 

I used a cake mix I can get through the Sugarcraft Guild for the cupcakes and a basic frosting recipe for the icing. They came out pretty good! She loved them which was great! With the money she paid me for them I purchased an ice cream scoop so all my cupcakes are the same size and some tiny little cutters in a variety of shapes (one being the little hearts on these cupcakes) I have decided any money I make from cake decorating should go towards new equipment, so I can update my already large collection and make even cooler decorations and cakes in the future!

These pictures will also be up on my Sequin Corner Cakes blog in the next few days. I hope I get to do more orders soon, it's so fun and I love getting feedback!

What do you think of the cupcakes? What simple decoration would be your favourite for a cupcake?