Soaking up the Sun
Sometimes it's hard to believe we all share the same sun. Vacation sun is always bright, vivid, perfect. This summer's lack of a true vacation forced me to savor our local sunshine. Fine for a lazy Sunday afternoon. But I couldn't stop dreaming of last summer's retreat on Anacapri. As if the beauty and culture weren't enough, I was treated, poolside, to the best Rum Baba; perfectly light and sweet and sublimely soaked. It was an afternoon snack, presented unannounced with fresh cream and berries.
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Project Michigan
The bakery turned 26 this year. Along with this milestone, I had a feeling that maybe the bakery ( and me as well!) could use a bit of re-branding... a kind of business facelift. I began thinking . "Is it time to re-do the logo? Are we still fresh in the minds of our consumers and/or potential customers? Are we still relevant , among the growing competition of cupcake shops, food trucks and Pinterest DIYers? " Does our website communicate what we are all about?"
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Another Round.....
Cookie Cup Mania has definitely struck . At Sweet Maria's , we always love a new project. Luckily our customers step up and give us plenty of challenges. Our latest is the cookie cup, the perfect edible shot glass filled with delicious chilled milk. I did see edible cookie cups years ago, but never had the time to experiment. Here's how they finally happened.
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Oatmeal Cookie Day!
I love all of the food holidays! Everyday should be a sweet celebration. Saturday is no exception. Please join me in celebrating National Oatmeal Cookie Day. If you like them chewy or crunchy, with nuts,or without nuts, with chocolate chips, or without chocolate chips, it's totally up to you. Take our homestyle classic cookie recipe and feel free to improvise. And be sure to celebrate daily.
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I scream you scream....
Dessert for our annual company picnic is always a challenge. Everyday we are surrounded by delicious cakes and cookies. It's easy to get tired of the same sweets. The one thing that always excites us is ice cream. We've had sundae bars before but they can get messy. I think I found sprinkles in the yard for months after the last picnic. I wanted something refreshing then thought, "Why not make ice cream cake? "
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Beyond Cake
Of course, we love cake! Especially wedding cakes. A towering masterpiece of sugar has always been a traditional way to celebrate a wedding. In ancient Rome, a piece of cake was broken over the bride's head , then eaten by the bride and groom for good luck. In Medieval England, guests were asked to bring a small cake to the wedding celebration. The cakes were piled high and the bride and groom had to kiss over the top to guarantee their happy life together!
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