To me the most sinful and decadent desserts are also high in cholesterol. Also, butter trumps any other type of fat when it comes to flavor and texture in baked goods. However, butter is super high in cholesterol. So in order to have my cake and eat it too, occasionally I have to make substitutions. Most of the time I sub with olive or canola oil. For this cake I used coconut oil.

The recipe I’ve chosen is one I’ve had and made in several versions before. Unfortunately I’m unable to give the origin. This recipe is one that I printed off before I started blogging and realized the importance of giving credit to my source.

Apricot Pound Cake
¼ cup apricot fruit spread
1 cup Coconut Oil
2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
4 egg whites
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond flavor
3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking soda
3 drops orange food coloring (optional)

Preheat oven to 325°. Prepare a 9×5 in loaf pan with non-stick spray and set aside. Sift together the flour, salt and soda and set aside. In bowl of mixer combine the oil and sugar and beat for 3 minutes. In another bowl mix together the buttermilk, eggs and flavorings just until combined. Stir into the oil and sugar mixture.

Add flour mixture to the buttermilk mixture, alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Divide batter into three portions. Pour first portion into prepared pan. Stir ¼ cup apricot fruit spread and, if desired, 3 drops orange liquid food coloring into second portion; spread gently over first layer. Then spoon remaining batter over top.

Bake at 325º for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan, and cool completely on wire rack. Dust with ½ cup sifted powder sugar or brush with a glaze. I combined ¼ cup of melted apricot fruit spread to 1 ½ cup of powdered sugar and applied it to the cake. The result was shiny, fruity and the perfect complement to the cake

The texture was a bit heavy and I don’t know if it was due to using oil or not, the next time I will reduce the amount to ¾ cup. Texture aside, we loved this cake and knowing I was reducing the amount of cholesterol was a relief. This cake also went fast, so fast I didn’t get any pictures of it sliced. Sorry about that, guess I’ll have to make it again.

You guys have been so supportive and kind while I’ve been chilling out, so I decided to make you some cupcakes. Not just any cupcakes mind you, boozy cupcakes. And not just boozy cupcakes; boozy cupcakes with a light butter cream frosting dripping with caramel. They aren’t healthy and they aren’t meant to be. These yummies are a small indulgence that packs a mighty tasty punch.

I started with a box of French Vanilla cake mix and replaced ¼ cup of the water called for with vanilla flavored vodka. After baking according to package directions and letting them cool for ten minutes I brushed the top of them with a wee bit more of the vodka. Overkill? I think not, it gets better. The frosting is one I found at The Purple Spoon

I froze the leftover caramel from my Salted Chocolate Caramel Cake from Easter and used it instead of remaking caramel from the frosting recipe. The texture of this frosting is superb and it’s not overly sweet. I can’t wait to make it again. Once the cupcakes were frosted I drizzled them with my caramel that I infused with more of the vanilla vodka. Woo-hoo, we’re bouncing and behaving now!! The flavors blended perfectly and there was no buzz from the booze. While I was resting I thought of oodles more liquored up desserts so don’t be surprised to see a few more from time to time.

Thanks again for all the foodie love!

Buttercream Frosting – adapted from The Purple Spoon
1 cup whole milk
¾ cup flour
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
¾ cup sugar (I used powdered sugar)

Place the 1 cup whole milk in a small saucepan. Sprinkle the flour over the milk, ¼ cup at a time and whisk until smooth. Place the saucepan over low heat and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes thick and pulls into a ball. Remove from the heat and place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the mixture and tuck around it to make sure there are no exposed parts. Refrigerate until cooled to room temperature or colder (at least 30 minutes). After it cooled I mixed it with my hand mixer until smooth, because it looked sticky and gooey and I was afraid it wouldn‘t work.

Place the flour mixture in a large bowl and cream the butter. Add the cooled flour milk mixture to the butter and beat until well blended. Mix in the vanilla. With the mixer on medium speed, gradually add the sugar and then continue to beat the icing for an additional 10-12 minutes until noticeably whiter and creamy. This is the bomb diggity of frostings,and it keeps well in the fridge.

Hello foodie and party friends!

Sabrina here filling in for Sandra. Dear sister has been feeling a tad out of sorts lately. She is working hard to rewrite over 200 articles on her Bellaonline Party Planning site. In addition, she has several health issues going on. To top it off it’s the end of the semester; which means final exams, grading and stress. Sandra asked that I tell you that she’s sorry for not keeping up with all of your posts and for not posting regularly herself.

Every blogger hits this wall from time to time so I know you’re familiar with this challenge. Sometimes you have to take a few days off and regroup. Sis loves you all dearly and asks that you bear with her. Have no worries, she shall return. Just so you don’t think I’m a bad sister, I offered to do a guest post for her. She looked at me over her glasses, gave me that slightly maniacal laugh of her’s and said, NO!

I promise you she’ll be back soon.

Smooches,
Sabrina

This past Friday I went to one of my favorite stores on the planet, TJ Maxx. I went in determined to spend only $20.00. Entering the store I felt like I had already shot myself in the foot, boy was I wrong.

Naturally, I headed to the house wares clearance section. There were a few pots and pans, stray goblets and lots of boxed candles. Those didn’t faze me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the colors green and white. With ninja like precision I made my move.
What I was hoping to find were a couple of white salad plates to mix and match with the white dinner plates I have. Also, one of the tablescapes I’m planning will be with blue and green dishes. Friends I hit pay dirt!

The white salad plates were $2.00 each as were the green dinner plates. Four of each would only cost me $16.00 plus tax. I was well within my allowed budget. I gently placed my treasures into my cart and continued to browse. After walking up and down the isles mentally spending a fortune, I went back to the clearance section for one last look.

That one last look was a smart move. How on earth did I miss the boxed set of white dinnerware on the bottom shelf? It was originally a 16 pc setting; now it was a 12 pc because the four dinner plates were missing. No worries there I already have four white dinner plates. Wait, it gets better. The 12 pc setting was $7.50!!! The four salad plates I already had in my cart came to a total of $8.00 This is what I call a bargain. I spent .50 less, but came away with eight more pieces. Everyone up on their feet and do the happy dance with me, dance I say!!!! I just love it when everything works out.

The table was covered with this funky green and white cloth that I got on super clearance at my grocery store for $2.79. I like that it doesn’t cover the table entirely. The wooden corners of the table that show tie in with the luan chargers that I had cut from a 4×8 piece at Home Depot. The centerpiece was a regular on my table until I rekindled my love of tablescapes. I’m sure it was happy to be called into service again. I’m loving the white bowls and mugs that came with the set I got from TJ Maxx. I wanted a simple napkin and just knotted a white one in the center and placed it in the bowl. Big Lots is another favorite hang out of mine and that’s where the flatware came from, $10.60 to the cashier and it was mine.

My green goblets found me at the thrift store and the wine goblets at the dollar store. The little green teapot was part of a floral centerpiece that was gifted. TJ Maxx and Michaels are in the same strip mall so I meandered over there to see what I could spend my 40% coupon on. There wasn’t much but I did pick up the moss green candles, because I knew they would work with the table. I was also kind of excited because the sign on them said .79. Imagine my disappointment when I got to the checkout and found out those gorgeous candles were actually $2.79, and I had four of them. Silly me was looking at the wrong sign. The temptation to not get them was great, but I figured what the heck, go for it. I’m glad I did because they worked better than I thought.

It took me more time to iron the tablecloth than it did to put the whole table together. It’s much simpler than some I’ve done and is one of my favorites. The Mr. likes it so much he keeps the chandelier on all day long to shine light on it. Sweet Sensations is definitely going green!

Resources
Tablecloth, Napkins, Candlesticks – Meijers
Dinnerware – TJ Maxx
Centerpiece and Candles – Michaels
Flatware - Big Lots
Green Goblets – City Rescue Mission Thrift Store
Wine Goblets – Dollar Tree
Green Teapot – Gifted

This calorically dense, no holds barred creation is the brain child of Martha. Yeah, she and I are on a first name basis. In the original recipe the cake is six layers. I baked three layers when I made it for Thanksgiving and did the same this time. I’m sometimes split hairs, but cake layers not so much. Three were just fine.

Here’s the recipe . It was just as much work this time around and it was just as good. What I did notice from the first time is that the caramel was lots smoother. Guess I’m getting the hang of it. I also have lots of it left over, which could be good or bad. This cake is time consuming but it’s worth every minute of it. There’s one piece left and I’m determined not to eat it. Call me crazy!

Maria Malaveci is the winner of the OXO handheld mandoline slicer. Congratulations Maria and happy slicing! Would love to see the fabulous dish you create with it.

Thanks to all of you who entered, left a comment, followed and liked me. Have a sweet day!

And just like that, Easter has come and gone. It felt like I had been making plans forever. I had two inspiration boards and started buying supplies weeks ago. Then all of a sudden it was time to get ‘er done.

This time I scaled back (at least I think so) on the amount of sweet treats I made. Several had been made at least a week ago and frozen. Why then, did I spend two days working on desserts only? It was as if I was moving in slow motion.

Pastels and polka dots was the theme and I stuck with it. Plastic polka dot eggs almost jumped into my basket at the grocery store. The dollar store had an endless supply of polka dot napkins, cupcake liners and favor boxes. Catch My Party graciously offered free Easter printables in a polka dot motif.

To cover the table I used a white cloth overlaid with a yellow printed one. I mixed white and gold serving pieces along with a beautiful pink cake plate that was my mom’s. Most of the desserts are repeats. What’s a Mommy to do when her fam requests their favorites? I have pinned and bookmarked enough sweets to not repeat for the same thing for years. That being said, I have something totally different for Mother’s Day. OK, back to the line up here.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake Cupcakes – Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Dirt Cup Cakes

Sugar Cookies – Banana Cakelets

Lemon Tartlets – Sweet Potato Truffles

Gilded Oreos

Easter was great even though I took an epic tumble down the basement steps with an arm full of pans and platters. A few bruises here and there and a some broken fingernails, but no worse for the wear. We Party Stylists are tough!

There’s an update to this Easter Tablescape post. I received an email from someone who represents Kohl’s and they asked that I include a link to their home shop in my resources. They’re also offering a 20% discount to my readers through April 7th, so hurry on over to Kohl’s online. Enter this code: SPRINGTOSAVE at checkout.

Talk about lollygagging around! With only four more days before Easter I thought it was high time I posted my Easter tablescape. A while back when I posted my Easter inspiration boards I included lots of pastels and polka dots. The pastels made it to the main table, and I’m saving the polka dots for the dessert table. Once again I’ll be faced with the challenge of not overdoing the sweet treats.

I used a bright ivory tablecloth as the base and a dusty pink one for an overlay. I used a simple square fold on the white napkins and wrapped them and the forks with purple ribbon. One of the ones shown here is hiding a hideous lipstick stain, which I’ve yet to find out how to remove.

It was truly my lucky day when I scored the lavender chargers at Michaels for .19 cents each. Initially I was only going to use the white dinner plates, mixed and matched with white and clear dessert plates. However, the lavender and bright green melamine plates asked if they could join the party and who am I to say no!

I am head over heels in love with the beaded dessert forks and I have a cake knife to match them. The white tapas plates are another grocery store find, .79 for a pack of four. What a deal!

I am head over heels in love with the beaded dessert forks and I have a cake knife to match them. The white tapas plates are another grocery store find, .79 for a pack of four. What a deal! The faux mother of pearl flatware is one of my favorite sets and they go with most everything.

Purposely I’ve stayed away from my favorite thrift stores lately. Thankfully the stemware that I have in my stash also goes with most everything.

We’ve practiced lots of restraint by not picking out the jelly beans from these cylindrical tea light holders. The top portion of the centerpiece is an oversized pedestal candy dish that is filled with plastic eggs, silk flowers and a couple of bunny picks. The bottom part is a cake stand filled in with flowers and ceramic painted eggs.

I always have to laugh whenever I call the tall bunny people into service. I think they’re cute, daughter Samara cringes every time she sees them. At the same time and place that I found the teapot, I also found the mini cloche. Under it is moss with painted plastic eggs and some jelly beans.

The painted ceramic eggs are not only cute they are loaded with sentimental value. They were a gift from my sister-in-law Ann who passed away a year and a half ago. She doted on her nieces and nephews. At Easter she came bearing gifts for them just as she did at Christmas. As much as I love acquiring new pieces, the ones that have been gifted and handed down are truly treasured.

Wishing you a peaceful, delicious and Happy Easter. Also don’t forget to register for my giveaway here for the handheld mandoline slicer.

Resources
Tablecloths and Napkins- Thrift Store and JC Penny’s
White Dinnerware and Clear Dessert Plates – Dollar Store
Chargers and Silk Flowers – Michaels
Lavender and Green Plates – Big Lots
Stemware – Thrift Store
Flatware – Kohl’s
Vases – Value City
Teapot and Cloche- Thrift Store
Tall Bunny People – Big Lots
Plastic Eggs and Mini Baskets- Dollar Store
Egg Cups – Kohl’s
Ceramic Bunny and Eggs – Gifted
Dessert Forks – Gifted
Tapas Plates – Meijers

I’m also linking up with these fabulous parties:

Wow us Wednesday’s
Tablescape Thursdays
Open House Thursday
Let’s Dish – Cuisine Kathleen
Under the Table and Dreaming

The kind folks at OXO have kindly sent me two handheld mandoline slicers. One for me and one for the lucky winner of this giveaway. It is one of the handiest kitchen tools you can have and I love mine! Mostly, I’ve slice fruits, veggies and even made a vain attempt at slicing smoked sausage. That was an epic fail. However, this time I really went out of the box and sliced a Snickers bar. Thankfully my fingers are still in tact and I refrained from eating it while slicing. Big high 5 for me!

The OXO handheld Mandoline is very convenient and one of the best features is that you can hook it over a bowl and your slices fall into it. This eliminates having to scoop your slices from the cutting board into the bowl. Little things add up people!

I’ve had a taste for a Cream Cheese Pound Cake for a while, but wanted to do something different with it. Enter the sliced Snickers bar. I also didn’t want a full size pound cake. My plan was to make a smaller cake and try out one of my new silicone molds for some smaller cakes. I really hope you’re not tired of hearing about those molds, because I’m not done yet. Now I don’t have a medium size bundt pan. I have full size and the mini ones. So I put on my creative cap and decided to use a six inch spring form pan and place a heat core in the center to simulate the tube. That was an almost epic fail. You probably want to know what a heat core is don’t you?

Bakers sometimes use heating cores for cakes larger than 12 inches in diameter. The core allows to you bake large cakes evenly, with no burnt edges or undone centers. Heating cores are small cylindrical devices you fill with batter and place in the center of the cake pan. The metal of the heating core helps heat the center of the cake more quickly, baking it at the same rate as the outside.

It would have been so nice if I had used the core in the way that it was meant to be used. It stood up perfectly in the pan and barely shifted when I spooned in the batter around it. I patted myself on the bag numerous times. At least until I looked in the oven and discovered that my lovely heat core and fallen on its side and couldn’t get up. I didn’t dare open to the oven to stand it up either. Then it dawned on me that I didn’t fill the core with batter. Duh!!!

I noticed that some batter and flowed inside of it and thought I’d just sliced the cake out of it and all would be well. Fat chance! The batter that flowed inside was barely enough for a quick taste. Most importantly the fallen heat core left a huge indentation in the cake. After it cooled and I flipped it over it looked like a cave or igloo. Thankfully these kinds of mistakes can be eaten. I went ahead and made the mini cakes in the silicone mold and used them to hide the gaping hole in the cake. All the cakes were glazed and I used silk flowers and leaves to seal up the remaining gaps. All’s well that ends well.

As far as the Snickers part goes it didn’t add too much to the cake and it certainly didn’t distract from it either. If I decide to make it again I think two bars would be better.

I’ve discovered Rafflecopter via some other blogs and am giving them a try for this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway