Showing posts with label event. Show all posts
Showing posts with label event. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

St. Patty's Day Dessert


 


Looking for the perfect dessert to go with your green beer at this year's St. Patrick's Day Party? These cupcakes have Guinness chocolate cake, Irish whiskey ganache filling and Bailey's Irish cream frosting. Don't they look delicious?


Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

Yield: 24 cupcakes
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:
1 cup Guinness stout
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoons salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
For the Whiskey Ganache Filling:
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons Irish whiskey
For the Baileys Frosting:
2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream

Directions:

1. To Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 cupcake cups with liners. Bring the Guinness and butter to a simmer in a heavy, medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.
2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl to combine. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sour cream on medium speed until combined. Add the Guinness-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and beat just to combine. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture and beat briefly. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until completely combined. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Cool the cupcakes on a rack.
3. To Make the Whiskey Ganache Filling: Finely chop the chocolate and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for one minute and then, using a rubber spatula, stir it from the center outward until smooth. Add the butter and whiskey and stir until combined. Let the ganache cool until thick but still soft enough to be piped.
4. To Fill the Cupcakes: Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter (or the bottom of a large decorating tip), cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes, going about two-thirds of the way down. Transfer the ganache to a piping back with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top.
5. To Make the Baileys Frosting: Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar until all of it is incorporated. Add the Baileys, increase the speed to medium-high and whip for another 2 to 3 minutes, until it is light and fluffy.
6. Using your favorite decorating tip, or an offset spatula, frost the cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container.
(Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen)

Monday, May 24, 2010

TIPPING VENDORS this subject is sometimes confusing.

Colorado Weddings by A Memory Lane Event
When planning out your event or wedding, be sure to allow an additional amount for tipping. Here is a general idea on the amounts you should set aside for different event & wedding vendors.

Remember, these amounts are not set in stone. Plan according to your budget and the type of service you receive from each.

Caterer and/or Banquet Manager - 15% for extra special service. ·  Bartenders - 15% to 20% of the liquor bill. · 
Event &/or Bridal Consultant - 15% for extra special service. · Powder Room and Coat Room Attendants - 50¢ per guest. You could arrange to pay a flat tipping fee. · 
Clergy members - $20 or more donation, depending on the length of the ceremony. · 
Civil Ceremony Officials - $10 and up. However, look into this first. Some judges cannot accept money. · 
Florist - 15% directly to the driver who delivers the flowers. · Photographer - 10% to 15% for extra special service. · 
Videographer - 10% to 15% for extra special service.
Cake Decorator - 10% to 15% for extra special service, or for a difficult/very large cake. · 
Musicians or D.J. - 15% for extra special service. · 
Limousine or Party Bus Driver - 10% to 15% paid directly to the driver.
Elegant weddings,  Denver weddings, elopement, bridal, bride, Colorado Weddings Denver, Colorado, wedding coordinator, wedding planner, wedding, destination weddings, Colorado wedding, weddings, wedding planner, Colorado wedding planners,  A Memory Lane Event ,wedding flowers, bouquets, engagement parties, wedding decor
Colorado Weddings with Jennifer Lane, A Memory Lane Event
Fees - Clergy
Most clergy do not have a "fee" but instead ask for a donation. In this case, anywhere from $50 - $100 or more. A lot depends on how well you know them and whether or not counseling sessions were involved.  If you are still unsure what the appropriate amount should be - then talk to the church secretary and ask for an "acceptable range" for a donation.

Family Advice From the moment you say yes and accept the ring....  you will receive all types of advice from all directions. You will get lots of great ideas, some better than others, some will make you cringe...... Wedding planning takes time and energy and is very emotional......but one thing to keep in mind; It's your wedding. A flawless wedding is possible all right. It "happens" when the bridal couple knows how to mix practical detail with the emotional insights and special kindnesses that make their wedding memorable for its warmth.  It also helps when you hire a professional with years of experience who can step in and intervene on your behalf when needed.