Saturday I’m hosting a party/open house for local participants of Back-tack 3 (Back-tack is essentially a crafty swap). I am looking forward to it, but the last time I had an open house? I baked for a week, and on the day of the party there was a torrential storm, and only a couple people came.
But anyway, I baked and baked today. I was hoping to have lots of delicious food to distract guests from noticing how scary and weird our house is. Now, I know I talk about food and baking all the time, but to be perfectly honest, I am not a naturally talented cook. I am a follower of directions. Today I followed directions, but I also had to improvise quite a bit.
First up was the most successful baked good of the day: icebox shortbread from Martha. I split the dough in half and made earl grey and currant from one half and matcha with the other half. I kind of went nuts with the matcha, so only the matcha-brave should try them:
I then made a couple batches of gougeres, one with gruyere and one with red bell pepper. I overbaked the gruyere batch, and the red pepper one was so runny I had to use a mini muffin tin!
Next I started to make the Daniel Boulud Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes with Mocha Ganache and Mascarpone Cream (I KNOW, can you believe how yummy that sounds?) that I read about here and here, but I already screwed them up. I overfilled the cupcake liners, leaving NO ROOM for the mocha ganache. So, I guess I’ll skip the ganache and just pipe on the mascarpone cream.
On a positive note, however, Alison, one of the lovely hostesses of Back-tack, sent an incredible party package from Australia, so we shall not go hungry at the party!
I am equally excited about this variety pack of Thomas Kemper sodas:
oooh i’m so jealous i don’t live in oregon! but my thoughts and dreams of goodies will be with you all….
oh – have a wonderful party 🙂 Wish I could be there – if not for all the backtack fun (which I’m missing out on 🙁 missed the subscription – drat!) then for all the tasty treats!
They all look fabulous….and about that ganache, I say turn it all into truffles 😉
i am so there-save a tim-tam!
Well, all your cookies LOOK good, I’m not sure about eating them according to your description but what I’m really curious about is why is your house “scary & weird”? Do you have staircases leading to nowhere? Diminishing ceiling height hallways? Squishy walls? Doors that open to drop-off floors? Are you really Sarah Mariko Winchester? :)))
What a yummy party! I made those cupcakes for my friend’s wedding last weekend. I overfilled the liners too (didn’t follow the recipe directions to fill halfway), so I let the ganache set in the fridge for a bit and spread it on top of the cupcakes, then topped with marscapone cream. Still quite yummy!
mmm Tim Tams! You really can’t buy them in the US?
But oh, no vegimite?
thanks again, mariko. i’m chowing down on the leftovers as i type!
Mmmmm…..icebox cookies and gougere. The cupcakes look really good, too – betting they’re fine even without the ganache. Happy sewing and munching!
I hope the party went well and the suagr high wasn’t unbearable for everyone!! Send me pics!!
gimme all that soda…NOW!
Sounds like a great party & wonderful time with friends. Weekends just don’t get better than that!
For the matcha shortbread cookies, did you just add matcha powder to the mix? They look so tasty!