#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Cupcake Pops

April 16, 2009 · Narrative

Cake Balls
Different friends fill different spots in your life.  Some are your kids’ friends’ parents and you become friends through your kids, and find yourself at many a school activity together, and then it just spills over into everything else.  Some become your friends because you’re neighbors.  Some you carry through from grammar school.  Some friends bring wine.  Some bring meatballs.  Out of all my little circles of friends, I don’t think anyone has ever brought me baked goods.  I’ve gotten spaghetti sauce, meatballs, chicken entrees, wine, but nobody bakes.  Usually I’M that friend, and the kids and I deliver baked goods to friends, neighbors and more a few times during the week.  Until last week…

The doorbell rang and after I corralled the kids and the dog, I ran to open it.  No make-up, hair completely unbrushed and tangled.  Heck, I’m not even sure I brushed my teeth yet.  In my defense, it was early morning!  There stood a new neighbor bearing baked goods.  This could be my new favorite kind of neighbor.  It sure beats the ones with barking dogs and cars that block me from getting out of our driveway!  Geez, I hate those kind.

Just as important as the fact that she was bearing baked goods was the fact that she was offering up cupcake pops, something I have seen all over (and most recently on her Flickr page), but as adorable as I think they are, I’m scared to make them.  They are too cute for words and I know I don’t have the patience to do them justice.  I’d just mess them up.  So her gift was even more welcome.  She used the basic recipe from Bakerella, and once you skim through all the different versions that Bakerella herself has done, you’ll be making a plan to gather the ingredients together yourself.  I am thisclose.  The ones that Kris dropped off are awesome (hello?  cupcakes!) and she has definitely mastered the technique.  In case you’re inspired as I was, I’ve included some tips below that she shared with me so yours (and mine!) will look just as good.

A. Leave yourself plenty of time – they take forever – bake your cake the day before and roll them into balls and put in refrig. I like to put mine in the freezer.

B. 2 Bags of Wilton Melts is not enough for one batch of cake mix. Buy at least 4.

C. Don’t use the whole can of frosting. Finally did this with the latest batch and it did the trick. They will be
more firm and won’t fall off the stick when you dip. Also, dip your stick in the melts before inserting.

D. If using Wilton melts – add some Crisco shortening. It will thin the melts out and everything will be smoother.
Bakerella doesn’t use Wilton melts, but I found this hint while reading through the hints on her site.

E. I use pyrex dishes for my melts that were my grandmothers – they are rectangular and deep. Today I turned
my electric griddle on low and sat the glass dishes on top – it helped keep the temperature even. Just be careful not to burn yourself.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: cupcake pops

Comments

  1. Jamie says

    April 17, 2009 at 5:41 am

    These cake pops look great. Are they worth the effort? I don’t know, but I assume that these yummy treats would disappear a lot faster than it took to make them.

    Jamies last blog post..RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

    Reply
  2. Kris #40 says

    April 17, 2009 at 7:44 am

    OMG! I recognize those!

    We are thinking about having a girls night in and making these – what could be better than drinking wine, having some appetizers and making cake balls? Should I put you on the list?

    Reply
  3. Lesley says

    April 17, 2009 at 7:46 am

    Those are absolutely adorable and look fabulous!!

    Lesleys last blog post..Happy At Houlihan’s

    Reply
  4. Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says

    April 17, 2009 at 8:11 am

    These are so adorable!

    Natasha – 5 Star Foodies last blog post..Change of Season – Shrimp Scampi and a Burger

    Reply
  5. Cathy says

    April 17, 2009 at 9:30 am

    Cute! And what a great new neighbor. I prefer the wine bearing ones myself, but I could be corralled into eating a cupcake pop.

    Cathys last blog post..The pictures don’t do it justice

    Reply
  6. huda says

    April 17, 2009 at 9:54 am

    wow! looks great. :p

    hudas last blog post..Banana on Cupcakes

    Reply
  7. Sara says

    April 17, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    How adorable! What a fun treat, nice new neighbor you’ve got there.

    Saras last blog post..California brittle brownies

    Reply
  8. paula says

    April 17, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    I tried to make cake balls recently and they ended up in the trash. It wasn’t until after I made them that I read that you shouldn’t use all of the frosting. They were too wet.

    So too bad I don’t have a neighbor like yours since that might be the only way I get to have these. I don’t know if I’m willing to try again.

    paulas last blog post..Chomping at the bit

    Reply
  9. Debbie says

    April 17, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    I think they are just the cutest thing….I love the colors!

    Reply
  10. Sarah Caron says

    April 17, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    Ooooh, those look delish. Sounds like an awesome treat. Geesh. I need neighbors like that!

    Sarah Carons last blog post..Fertile Fridays: Preparing Our Raised Garden Beds For Growing

    Reply
  11. Kristen says

    April 18, 2009 at 9:56 pm

    I want a neighbor like that! Those look incredible!!

    Kristens last blog post..Adopt a Blogger #3 (Recipe: Honey I’m Home Bread)

    Reply
  12. RecipeGirl says

    April 19, 2009 at 10:55 am

    So cute :) Lucky you! I’ve done a couple of version of the cake pops. They’re so fun to experiment with.

    RecipeGirls last blog post..Milky Way Brownies

    Reply
  13. Cynthia says

    April 19, 2009 at 11:20 am

    That neighbour is a keeper.

    Cynthias last blog post..An Italian Challenge

    Reply
  14. pamela says

    April 19, 2009 at 8:52 pm

    I’ve been wanting to try these, but I just can’t make the timing work. Someday…
    What a nice thing for your new neighbor to do, though!

    pamelas last blog post..Chicken & Broccoli

    Reply
  15. Elyse says

    April 20, 2009 at 2:46 am

    What a wonderful treat! Everyone loves a neighbor who comes bearing gifts, especially when those gifts are cupcake pops!!

    Elyses last blog post..Sweet Melissa Sundays: Apple (Pear) Turnovers

    Reply
  16. Cate O'Malley says

    April 20, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Jamie – I totally hear you. I loved receiving them and am sorely tempted to make them, but these days patience and time is in short demand. ;) Good thing I’ve got Kris!

    Kris – sounds like fun – sure!

    Everyone else – I completely agree – this is a good neighbor to have!

    Reply
  17. Melissa says

    April 21, 2009 at 8:30 am

    I just ran across these online by chance. . .but I officially want to live in YOUR neighborhood! Wine and cupcake pops? Count me in! lol

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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