Bloggers Bake for Hope


It is very unfortunate that the word "cancer" comes up with so much frequency these days.  Breast cancer awareness is something that I personally feel very passionate about - my amazing Aunt Chris was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, and has had an up and down, painful battle with this terrible disease.  It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch someone you love so much go through all of this pain.  I hope that a cure is not far off!

Jen (Beantown Baker) and Cara (Cara’s Cravings), two Boston area food bloggers, have teamed up for a project called Bloggers Bake for Hope, a virtual bake sale as part of Bake for Hope.  Bloggers will donate their choice of baked goods, which will be auctioned off between May 4-6th.  Jen and Cara set a $2000 goal for the auction - and they need your help!

I'm donating 2 dozen of my sparkly cupcake sugar cookies; are you donating anything?  If you don't want to bake, consider bidding on some treats - there are some wonderful desserts already up for sale! Please also spread the word on Facebook, your own blog, through word of mouth - together we can make a big difference!!


About Bake for Hope

Bake for Hope is a week long, nation-wide, 100% volunteer-run, bake sale event happening, the week leading up to Mother's Day. Proceeds donated to local Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliates.

Bloggers Bake for Hope is a virtual bake sale. Bloggers will donate their time, ingredients, and shipping costs so there are no expenses associated with this virtual bake sale. All proceeds from the bake sale will be sent to the Massachusetts Komen for the Cure.

Jen and Cara, two Boston area food bloggers have teamed up for a project called Bloggers Bake for Hope, a virtual bake sale as part of Bake for Hope. Jen serves up sweets at Beantown Baker, while Cara shares healthy, creative dinners at Cara’s Cravings

Both Cara and Jen have been successful fundraisers for Susan G. Komen for the Cure in the past. Cara is currently organizing the third annual Bake for Hope at her company’s office site in Marlboro, MA. Last year’s event raised over $2500. Jen has made breast cancer awareness part of her personal mission. In 2004, Jen’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, Jen, her sisters, mom, and aunts walk the Race for the Cure every year. Jen and her family have raised thousands of dollars for the various Komen for the Cure affiliates.

Jen and Cara feel a strong connection to the cause, and are avid bloggers with a strong following. Thus, teaming up to host an online bake sale seemed like a fun and natural way to take things to the next level. The virtual bake sale will take place on May 4-6, 2011. Bloggers and bakers from across the country will agree in advance to donate baked goods. Buyers will make virtual pledges on the Bloggers Bake for Hope site, and at the close of the bake sale the highest bidders will be awarded the donated baked goods. They will make their donations via PayPal, and the bakers will then bake and ship their goods. Because the bakers are donating their ingredients, time, and shipping costs, there are no expenses associated with the virtual bake sale. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Massachusetts Komen for the Cure. Jen and Cara are challenging their fellow bakers and bloggers to help them raise $2000 through Bloggers Bake for Hope.

Guest Post: Mother's Day Dessert - Meyer Lemon Tart


Mother's Day is right around the corner - less than a week and a half away!  What will you be doing this year for the special women in your life?

My mom loves anything lemon, and for Mother's Day, I'll be making her this amazing Meyer lemon tart.  Meyer lemons are thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange, and are sweeter, milder, and less acidic than regular lemons.  The mild, sweet juice creates a delightful flavor in this light, spring dessert.

Head on over to Pure Joy Events to check out the first part of my guest post this month - the recipe for the creamy, Meyer lemon tart filling.

Happy Birthday (Angry Birds style!)


Today is Matthew's 5th birthday - and him and all of his friends will be celebrating with a pretty awesome Angry Bird's themed cake!

The cake itself is chocolate with chocolate ganache filling, covered with dark chocolate fondant.  All of the angry birds, pigs, slingshot and other props are made from gumpaste and fondant.







Happy Birthday Matthew - I hope your day is awesome!!!

Cupcake Decorating 101


My blog has been a little bit quiet lately - which means that I've been spending lots of time in the kitchen!  This past weekend, I was particularly busy getting ready for my first decorating class - cupcake decorating techniques!  The class started off with a baking demonstration and a discussion about baking techniques and tools.  During the second half of the class, everyone piped lots and lots of buttercream, and decorated their cupcakes with a variety of embellishments, including sprinkles and decorative sugars and fondant and paper toppers.











We all had a great time, and I am seriously impressed by everyone's cupcake decorating skills!  I can't wait to see what you all create next :)

Guest Post: French Macaron Tutorial


I am absolutely thrilled to be the new resident baking and treat decorating guest blogger on the Pure Joy Events blog!  Christine, the amazing woman behind Pure Joy Events, plans some seriously awesome children's parties. Her blog is a wonderful source for ideas and tutorials - definitely one you do not want to miss.

Today, I share Part I of a two part series on French Macarons.  Head over to the Pure Joy Events blog to check it out!

Pinwheel Party Preview


I love this whimsical cake!  Pink pinwheels adorn a simple cake covered with white fondant.  This cake would be the perfect addition to any party or celebration.

Chocolate cupcakes in a pinwheel wrapper

Smore's pops!

French macarons with lemon marscarpone filling

More pictures to come soon - thanks so much for stopping by!