Recipe Inspiration: A Cream Soda New Year's Mocktail!

New Year's Eve is upon us! When we stumbled upon this delicious-looking and sounding mocktail we knew we had to quickly feature it on the blog and show our readers that a night of celebrating and dancing doesn't always have to be with alcohol, but with a sip anyone could enjoy! This cranberry, tangerine, rosemary & cream soda concoction has a sophisticated taste and unique twist ... let's take a quick peek at this beautiful recipe from Spoon Fork Bacon.

 

 

Ingredients include:

• rosemary simple syrup:
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 rosemary sprigs, lightly bruised
• 1 cup fresh squeezed tangerine juice
• 1 1/3 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups cream soda
• garnish: rosemary sprigs

 

Learn how to put all of these delicious flavors together here.

 

 

Check out the original recipe here!



Recipe Inspiration: Ham & Cheese Baked Egg Cups

Today we're sharing a delicious breakfast idea from The Lemon Bowl that's not only adorable but easy to make! Let's take a quick look at this fun feature:

 

Ingredients:

• one dozen large eggs
• ½ cup skim milk
• 6 slices Candian bacon - diced
• ¼ cup minced scallions
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices 2% sharp cheddar (or 4 ounces shredded)

Directions:

Grab your muffin pan, set the oven to 350 degrees and start mixing up the ingredients. But visit the original recipe below for further instructions.

Check out the original recipe here.

 

And you can even use some of our Candy Cups to bake these cuties in style - including our browns and oranges for the continuing autumn-season.

 

 

 

Recipe Inspiration: Spiced Pumpkin Milkshake



 

It's the time of year for all things pumpkin-flavored and inspired. We all love pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies, but what about a pumpkin milkshake for those autumn days that still have a bit of warmth in the air? Take a peek at this recipe and have a sip!

 

Ingredients:

 

• cold whole or lowfat milk
• pumpkin butter (make your own here)
• canned pumpkin puree
• ground cinnamon
• ground cloves
• grated nutmeg
• French vanilla ice cream

 

Directions:

You'll basically throw in all the scrumptious ingredients and blend, but we want you to visit the original recipe here.

Recipe Inspiration: S'mores Dip

Julie stumbled upon this rad recipe from Hungry Brownie and decided to make it for her family to taste test. Needless to say, they fell in love ... so, naturally we decided we should feature the scrumptious creation! There isn't much prep to make this tasty party happen, but it'll definitely become an instant crowd-pleaser in your home. 

Here's what you'll need:

• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 8 large marshmallows; cut in half
• Graham crackers for dipping

To find out the super simple and easy as "1, 2, 3" direction, we encourage you to hop over to Hungry Brownie and check them out!

Visit and print out the original recipe here.

 

Mini Strawberry Shortcakes: July 4th Style

  

July 4th is just around the corner and it's time to start planning your celebration. Whether you're throwing together a big backyard BBQ for the entire neighborhood or just having a couple pals over to relax and enjoy each others company, menu planning is a must. And we have the easiest, most perfect little surprise to add to your night of food and fun. Using our candy cups, you can create some mini strawberry shortcakes that'll have the party buzzing with smiles and delighted taste buds. 

Ingredients:

• Fresh Strawberries
• Shortbread Cookies (Homemade or Store Bought)
• Whipped Cream
• Ice Cream (Optional)

Directions

First things first, grab your shortbread cookies! (Sidenote: you can also use Sara Lee's frozen pound cake - it's delicious, you just need time for it to thaw!) Then throw them in the candy cups as your foundation. 

Now, add 1/3 of your fresh berries into a food processor that will create the liquidy goodness that softens the cookies. Top with sliced berries, whipped cream and, if you'd like, some vanilla bean ice cream!

Simple and easy, right?!

 

Candy Cups: What's Inside + Recipe Ideas

Our candy cups can be used for much more than just candy. From healthy snacks of veggies and dip to brownies baked right in, these snack baskets can be used for a variety of fun treats. Just take a look at our samples for inspiration! And, in the meantime, take a look at some recipes inspired by our above ideas - YUM!

Gummi Worm Dirt Cups:

Adorable and delicious, these are perfect desserts to serve up during Halloween or your little boy's birthday party! And, you can still use our candy cups to present them!

Vegan Peanut Butter Cups:

Who doesn't love a delicious peanut butter cup? And why not use our decorative cups to set them right? Delicious!

Goldfish Drops:

Take every kiddos' favorite snack and make a creative, scrumptious cookie out of them! With a bit of butterscotch, adults will love them too. 

Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip:

This healthy dip is perfect for broccoli and carrots, and so many other wonderful, colorful veggies. And kids will love it!

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes:

A great flavor combination for the summer, these blueberry lemon cupcakes look and sounds like an amazing bite. And, you can bake them right into the candy cups!

Nutella Brownie Bites:

What's better than a chocolatey brownie bite? Well, a brownie bite touched by Nutella, that's what!

 

Recipe Inspiration: State Fair Lemon Shake-Ups!

We're showing off how to make some delicious and classic State Fair Lemon Shake Ups today! It's prime season for a sparkly and sweet drink. Topped with some of our vintage, paper straws these sips make for the best shower drinks and birthday party treats.

Ingredients: (making 2 drinks)

• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• Lemons
• Ice Cubes
• 1/2 cup of ice water

 Directions:

The secret to the most perfect lemon shake-up is to boil the water and dissolve the sugar inside. Then grab one of your lemons and juice it! Pour the lemon juice into the sugary syrup you just made. Then put it in the fridge to chill.

Now it's time to crush up your ice! After the ice is blended a bit, it's time to shake up the chilled syrup and ice with your cold water. Literally shake this all up in a cocktail shaker, garnish with a slice of lemon and, VOILA!, you've made a delicious State Fair Lemon Shake-Up!

 

 

Recipe Inspiration: Oreo Cheesecake Bites

O my word, when I fell upon these while perusing Pinterest, I again, had to share the incredible food photography and easy, peasy recipe from Culinary Concoctions. Let's drool, shall we?

Here's what you'll need:

• 21 Oreos
• 16 ounces of cream cheese 
• 1/2 a cup of sugar
• 1/2 a tsp. of vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 a  cup of sour cream
• Pinch of salt

 Here's what to do:

First, preheat the oven at 275 degrees. Use regular muffin tins and line them with some pastry cups. 

Place a cookie in the bottom of each cup and set aside. Using your electric mixer beat the cream cheese until smooth on medium, gradually adding the sugar and vanilla.

To see the rest of the recipe .... visit Culinary Concoctions by Peabody.

 

Serve these scrumptious little bites up on our cupcake stands or in our plethora of candy cups!

Visit the original post and recipe here. 

 

Recipe Inspiration: Lemon Sugar Cookies

AND THE WINNER OF OUR SPRINGTIME GIVEAWAY IS .... AMY COLEY 

_______________________________________________________

I found something really special. I found something that's perfect for spring. I found something that is absolutely delicious and that I'm really excited about. These Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies from My Baking Addiction are not only picture perfect but they're quite simple to make too! 

Here's what you'll need:

• 2, 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of one large lemon, finely minced
• 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice 
• 1/2 cup sugar for rolling cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line your cookie sheets with some parchment paper. Then hop on over to My Baking Addiction to follow their super easy and quick tutorial. Serve these cuties up with some mango iced tea or pack them in the kiddos lunchbox!

Check out the original recipe here.

Recipe Inspiration: Honey Tea Cake

What caught my attention at first were the gorgeous pictures, once I realized there was an actual recipe behind this beautiful tea cake, I knew it was our next feature here at OTBP. Thanks to Tartine and Apron Strings. Imagine throwing a vintage-inspired tea party for your best gal pals and serving up this scrumptious dish? Or, using it to finish off the most perfect brunch for your Grandmother's birthday?

Believe it or not, this slice of heaven is actually easier than you make think to make! I wouldn't consider myself a novice baker, but I tend to go the novice's way out on lots of recipes, but this one I'd take just as it is.

Here's what you'll need:

• 12 oz (2 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 large egg yolks
• 2 large whole eggs
• 8 oz (1 cup) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 11 oz (1 1/2 cups) sugar
• 11 oz (1 cup + 6 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup honey, warmed and diluted with 2 tablespoons water to make syrup
• powdered sugar for dusting

Then it's all about putting the ingredients together right, which you can read up on and follow the direction right here at Tartine and Apron Strings.

I also think a piece of this sweet cake would look quite nice placed with our Butterfly Party Pack!

Visit the original recipe here! Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Recipe Inspiration: Pistachio Cupcakes

I'm a very big fan of pistachio. I love them right out of their shells. I love the ice cream flavor. I love their color! So, it's only natural that when I stumbled upon this recipe from Annie's Eats that I tuck it away in safe keeping. Since Outside the Box Papers loves all things paper, including the most adorable cupcake wrappers and stands, it's only fair that we show off some of our favorite cupcake flavors too. And we're starting with this one: Pistachio.

These beautiful little cupcakes are made from scratch, with crushed pistachios for garnish and a sweet, sultry chocolate ganache. They're the perfect grown up dessert and they'd go along great with a bubbling champagne or white wine. But, if you want the kiddos to branch out and try something a bit outside-the-box (which we love to do), sneak one of these into their lunch box! They're bound to love the chocolate and the pistachio could be a nice flavor to introduce them to! Again, for the entire recipe and the how-to instructions, you'll have to visit Annie's Eats and follow her easy recipe plan.

Once you try this recipe out. Snag some of our individual cupcake stands to show them off at your next dinner party or birthday celebration!

Visit the original recipe here.