06 Jan
Penn State Graduation Cake
Posted by Chelle as Cakes | 6 Comments
This cake was made to celebrate the December graduation of a Penn State University student. The client asked for a 2-tier cake with dots on the bottom tier, stripes on the top tier, and the iconic Nittany Lion on the top of the cake. I was admittedly a little nervous about pulling off the lion, but was really happy with how it turned out! The client loved it and I heard they still haven’t cut into the top layer because they don’t want to ruin the lion 
04 Jan
The Best of 2008
Posted by Chelle as Favorites | 7 Comments
Although I am a couple of days behind, I wanted to do a “year in review” of the food I featured on my blog over the past year, similar to what I did for 2007. I took a lot of new leaps in the kitchen during 2008, tried many new things and conquered a number of culinary fears so it was certainly a successful year! While I enjoyed everything that I blogged, of course I have my favorites so below is a review of my “Favorites of 2008″. Hope you enjoy and Happy New Year! 
January 2008
Homemade Gnocchi
Hidden Berry Cream Cheese Torte
February 2008
Almost Fudge Gateau
Homemade Granola
Spaghetti & Meatballs
March 2008
Perfect Party Cake
Brioche
Apple Pie-Cake
Tiramisu
April 2008
Cheesecake Pops
Gooey Chocolate Cakes
May 2008
Pita Bread
Enchiladas
June 2008
Danish Braid
Pizza Dough
Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
New York-Style Crumb Cake
French Chocolate Brownies
July 2008
American Sandwich Bread
Pasta Fagioli
Blueberry Pie
August 2008
Strawberry Pretzel Squares
Croissants
Cheddar Ale Spread
Italian Bread
Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo
September 2008
Grown Up Mac and Cheese
October 2008
Buttermilk-Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake
Chili
Challah
Brownie Mosaic Cheesecake
December 2008
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Dirty Risotto
28 Dec
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Posted by Chelle as Ice Cream | 10 Comments
I have been lusting over the ice cream attachment for my Kitchen Aid stand mixer since the day I opened the box. I had never made homemade ice cream before, but the idea of being able to create any flavor combination imaginable seemed completely irresistible. I received an early Christmas present from my friend Annie and when I opened the box and saw it was the KA ice cream maker attachment I shrieked like a little kid on Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to make my first batch! I had been saving a myriad of ice cream recipes as I had come across them, but I already knew what recipe I wanted to make. Cheesecake is by far my favorite dessert and I had stumbled across a recipe for Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream quite some time ago and had promised myself it would be my first ice cream recipe when I finally got around to getting the attachment. This was absolutely fabulous ice cream and I am officially addicted to homemade ice cream, I can’t wait to make my next batch!
10 Dec
An Interview and a Dirty Risotto Recipe
Posted by Chelle as Risotto | 5 Comments
I was flattered when Sherra of Baking up Chaos asked to feature me as a guest blogger on her site. Head on over to read her interview with me and snag my recipe for Dirty Risotto while you’re there!
03 Dec
Birthday Cakes
Posted by Chelle as Cakes | 21 Comments
During the month of November I had two orders for birthday cakes:
This first one was for a surprise 50th birthday party. The customer requested a zebra-style cake with a pink bow on top. The cake was chocolate with a peanut butter filling and chocolate buttercream icing. They were thrilled with both the look of the cake and how it tasted!
(Again, bad lighting and excuse the wax paper in the bow - that’s to hold them open and in place while the fondant dries and until I deliver.)
This next cake was for my cousin’s 40th birthday party. His party invitations were blue and silver with what looked like transparent bubbles, so I tried to stay with that theme and this is where it led me. The bottom cake was a yellow cake with raspberry filling and vanilla buttercream; the top cake was chocolate with peanut butter filling and chocolate buttercream. I’m happy to report that everyone at the party raved about the cake!
