Heat Wave

So, it's pretty obvious that I'm not the best at posting on a regular basis. But I have a smartphone now with a weekly reminder, so hopefully I'll be able to step it up. I know how much you love reading my posts and drooling over the pictures (just go with it...). But as for right now, I'm nestled on the sofa and ready to give you my undivided attention!

Something I haven't brought up in my posts yet is that I have a passion for cheesecakes. My husband and I would even go as far as to call ourselves cheesecake snobs. And I make my own snobby cheesecake recipes that, if I do say so myself, are quite amazing. I'm always looking for new flavors and combinations to experiment with, and this week's post has one of my most unique discoveries so far.

My family came in town to visit recently. And when my family and I get together, it's usually expected that I will have or will soon have a cheesecake to share. I asked around for some new ideas, but nothing was really triggering my "creativity in baking" button. And then one day before they got in town I was craving some good down home cooking and it hit me - can a cheesecake be combined with bread pudding?

But not just any bread pudding, oh no. This needs to be much more intricate than that. Hmm...well my sister and brother-in-law love white chocolate, and my parents love bread pudding with bourbon sauce....why not combine them!? (So I did....)

This, dear friends, is my very proud White Chocolate Bourbon Bread Pudding Cheesecake (say that three times fast):

I apologize for the pictures being a bit blurry...I'm still getting used to using my phone for pictures :)

This cheesecake was SO good. It was smooth and a great consistency. I thought the crust was a bit too sweet, but no one else seemed to mind it. I drizzled extra white chocolate bourbon sauce over each slice as the family ate it - I only ended up getting one piece. I guess that just means I'll have to make it again sometime...

Drooling yet? There's still more to come!!!

HEAT WAVE!

As you may already know, the south has been in a heat wave. Heat index over 100 degrees and a heat advisory nearly every day....oh yeah, summer is definitely here.

These beach inspired birthday cupcakes help me get in the festive summer mood a little bit, while also giving me reprive from the sun...you know...becuase I'm in the kitchen....

We made 3 dozen cupcakes for this birthday party. Personally, I think they're adorable.

FROM THE KITCHEN: You know what the worst thing is about making cakes and cupcakes for other people? You don't get to eat any of them....

Busy as a bee...

Well, guys, I'm exhausted. The last week has been very busy with baking, so here's a quick synopsis of my projects:

1) 2 Dozen Butter Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Icing (called this the "Fireworks" design)

2) 2 Dozen Coconut Cupcakes with Almond Icing

3) 2 Dozen Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Icing

4) Chocolate Pac-Man Cake (1/4 sheet cake) with Vanilla Buttercream Icing

5) Chocolate Star Wars Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing

And now I will go clean my house to prepare for my family visiting tomorrow...and then SLEEP :)