Wedding Wednesday: Sam & Nate 8.24.12

 

Photo Credit: Steve Koo Photography

I first met the bride, Sam, when she filmed Holly and I for the 190 North segment we were featured in. She was an immediate burst of amazing energy, and you couldn't help but fall in love with her (as Holly and I carried on for the rest of the day, "Sam is the cutest!"). When she mentioned she was planning her wedding and needed sweets, I was beyond thrilled to set up a tasting with her.

I met Sam at the 190 North offices (Janet Davies snuck me in through the employee entrance - thanks, Janet!) and we immediately got to chatting away, scoping her Pinterest board, and a little chit chat within there.

We decided on an awesome spread of fun, charming desserts for her August wedding at Salvage One in Chicago.

Salvage One is in the West Town neighborhood in Chicago and specializes in showcasing salvaged architectural and design elements throughout a four-story building. It was the perfect place for a wedding that reflected the fun and eccentric personalities of Sam and Nate, the couple of the evening.

The décor at Salvage One was outstanding, and the back drop screen made our dessert table pop even more. Nothing lures people over to whoopie pies, cake truffle pops, cupcakes and the like better than a beautiful pattern and some delicious treats! Sam and Nate’s wedding was a really great chance for us to showcase some customized items we don’t always get a chance to share.

1. Mini Cupcakes galore! We baked dozens and dozens of Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, New Glarus Brewing Company Spotted Cow and White Russian cocktail cupcakes. Spotted Cow is a beer brewed and sold locally in Wisconsin- a regional secret and favorite!

2. Whoopie Pies in Blueberry Lemon, Red Velvet, and Chocolate Salted Caramel. Our Blueberry Lemon has no artificial coloring, the cakelettes get their coloring from the blueberries in the batter… yum!

3. PB&J Pie Pops are an exciting throwback to childhood and brown bagged lunches, long before weddings were ever on a kid’s mind.

4. Banana Cream Pie in a jar, easier than serving from a pan and easier to enjoy while mingling and tipping one back!

5. “Classy” Jello shots, upon the bride’s request. Served in edible dishes like Lemon (Vodka Lemonade) and Lime (Mojito) rinds as well as fresh Strawberries (Strawberry Margarita).
 
6. Cake Truffle Pops made the night complete in Triple Chocolate (just as dangerous as it sounds), Lemon dipped in White Chocolate, and our popular sweet & salty Chocolate Himalayan Pink Salt.

Photo Property of Cacao Sweets & Treats

All of these delectable desserts would have been incomplete if there was not a carry-out option for those guests who wanted to have some late night snacks, or perhaps have Cacao for breakfast! The guests didn’t leave a single crumb, and everyone had a wonderful time celebrating the happy couple.

Venue: Salvage One
Caterer: City Provisions
Photographer: Steve Koo Photography
Sweet Table Print Pieces: Modern Renaissance

Recipe: Champagne Fruit Salad

While my husband is off to a rib cook-off today, I decided to make a girly fruit salad. Chilled and refreshing on a hot day. Feel free to mix with your favorite fruits.

Champagne Fruit Salad

2 cups Watermelon, balled

2 cups Honeydew Melon, balled

1 cup Strawberries, sliced

1/2 cup Blueberries

1/2 cup Raspberries

1/2 cup Champagne, chilled

1 Tablespoon Lime juice

Juice from 1/2 and orange, (reserve zest)

Mix all ingredients together gently. Chill for at least 4 hours.

Top with Orange Zested Whipped Cream to serve (recipe below).

Orange Zested Whipped Cream

1/2 cup heavy cream

Zest from half an Orange

Whip until you reach stiff peaks. Chill until serving.

Berry Binge

Every season, I seem to be proclaiming at the top of my lungs, "If I could eat only 1 thing for the rest of time, THIS would be it!". Actually, it's probably every other month or so that I say that. However, when it comes to Summer, there is no question... berries.

I could live on berries for the rest of time!

Most specifically... Raspberries. The beauty of fresh raspberries just blows me away. They are gorgeous to look at, provide amazing natural color when pureed, take any smoothie to the next level, freshen up every chocolate treat ever to be known and are the perfect breakfast, snack, or in my case, lunch and dinner. Raspberries are sweet, tart and perfectly luxurious.

I picked up these beauties at the Lake Bluff Farmer's Market this past Friday and spent much of Saturday pureeing, packing and freezing. Every berry season, I make sure to grab a few extra flats of berries to have tucked away to use in our treats (especially Raspberry Champagne Cupcakes). In the dead of Winter, these lovelies will transport you back to warm, sunny days sipping cocktails.

This Sunday, I went on a bit of a Blueberry Binge. It was major yard work day at our house, and we had friends coming over, so some fresh, quick breakfast items were in order. Orange Glazed Blueberry Scones, Blueberry Pound Cake, and Blueberry and Lemon Crumb Cake.

What is your favorite berry?

Recipe - Spiced Pear Butter

I absolutely love pears. So when my husband and I went to the orchard a couple of weekends ago, my eyes were much bigger than my stomach. There was no way we could consume all of these while they were ripe.
So I did what every fruit-lover does... canned them to last seasons to come.

I did also whip up a deliciously Spiced Pear Butter. I imagine my next batch will include some cranberries thrown in for a lovely sweet & tart combo (my favorite).

This recipe couldn't be any easier, so I hope you will give it a try. Let it stew away in your crock pot and your home will smell simply divine. This works with slightly under or over ripe fruits. Think apples & beyond. Of course, I prefer to use freshly ground spices, but use whatever you have on hand. Enjoy!

Spiced Pear Butter

Ingredients:

5 1/2 lbs. Pears (choose your favorite kind)

2 cups Sugar

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Ground Ginger

1/4 tsp. Ground Clove

1/2 tsp. Finely Ground Salt

Peel, core & finely chop the pears.

Place all of the ingredients into your crock pot and give it a good mix.

Cook on the high heat setting, covered, for 1 hour.

Give it another good mix.

Set the heat setting to low and let it brew for 10 hours. Note: This is a great overnight project - you will wake up amazed by the smell.

Set the heat back to high and allow to cook, uncovered, for another 1-2 hours (this is where you can adapt based on the consistency you prefer).

If you like your toppings thinner, leave it as it is. If you prefer them thicker, give it a good mixing with a whisk, or puree to break down the pears entirely.

Spoon into your favorite jars and seal. Heat process however you like, oven or water-bath.

I'll likely be sending a few of these to far-away friends for holiday treats. Dress them with cocktail utensils and ribbons, sprigs of fresh herbs or custom labels for an extra special gift!

Shopping Carts and Busy Days

Why does it feel like every day gets busier and busier? That's because it does and we love it! We've been busy stocking shelves so that you can find (cacao)'s treats close to you!

Find (cacao) at these Whole Foods Markets:
Deerfield
Lincoln Park
Palatine

Stop in at Green Grocer Chicago this Thursday to pick up a 12 Piece Cake Truffle Gift Box! The custom collection for Green Grocer will be: Triple Chocolate, French Vanilla, Chocolate Himalayan Pink Salt & Carrot Cake - some of my favorites too!

Have a favorite shoppe you'd like to see (cacao) in? Leave a comment and let us know!

You can always check the Contact page of our website to see the most up-to-date store listing (with links for locations).

In other news...
Ordering direct from our website is now available! Stop over and send someone special a bit of sweet love! Order Online!

We also have some fun custom orders this week. Cake Truffle Pops for a Nurse's Graduation, Art Party treats for a Birthday Girl, Bridal Shower Favors, Wedding Favors and a few others. Have you seen some of the fun custom event treats we offer? Take a peek over here.

Have a great week!
Candice