Archives for December 2015

Top 10 Recipes for 2015

2015 is nearly at an end and I had a great year at Love and Confections. Here is a list of the 10 most popular recipes this year as well as a recap of all the wonderful events I attended or hosted in 2015.

2015 was a busy year here at Love and Confections headquarters. I am blogging full-time and loving it. This past year, I worked with some great companies, like Stonyfield Yogurt, Bob’s Red Mill, Dixie Crystals, Nielsen-Massey Vanilla and so many more! I am grateful for all the experiences over the past year and I hope to continue to grow the blog in the next year to come.

My first big event of the year was the inaugural #VanillaWeek. I gathered 12 bloggers to celebrate our live of vanilla. We created some amazing recipes like Vanilla Macarons, Vanilla Bean Ladyfingers, and Vanilla Bean White Hot Chocolate.

May was busy with the 3rd annual #Brunchweek. I had so much fun working with this group of 30 bloggers. Over 115 delicious brunch recipes were created and we had an amazing giveaway! Some of my favorite recipes were my Lemon Blueberry Crepes, 60 Minute Cinnamon Rolls, and Whiskey Walnut Tart.

The first half of the year kept me busy by being on the Food & Wine Conference planning committee. The Food & Wine Conference at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Spa in July was spectacular. A great group of bloggers attended and I cannot wait for Food & Wine Conference 2016!

August was filled with fun days at the splashpad with #ToddlerLnC and a family beach vacation. ToddlerLnC had an amazing time at the beach and loved playing in the sand and water. I look forward to our yearly beach vacation and love watching her experience new things.

Late September was #pumpkinweek with 19 bloggers. I loved all the festive pumpkin recipes, especially my Pumpkin Butter, Pumpkin Pancakes with Bourbon Maple Syrup, and Pumpkin Almond Croissants. During the Fall, I also had a chance to attend The Americas Cake and Sugarcraft Fair, a Honey Nut Cheerios Living Billboard event and The Taste of Dr. Phillips.

December was eventful and full of love, family and friends. I can hardly believe that#toddlerlnc just turned 2! We had a fun Sophia the First themed party for her that family and friends attended. A few days after that, Mr l&c and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. We visited family in North Carolina for Christmas and are planning a small get-together with friends tonight for New Year’s Eve. I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake #NaturallyCheesy

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NaturallyCheesy #CollectiveBias

With New Year’s Eve upon us, an easy and delicious recipe like my Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake, using Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese, is perfect for a night of celebrations.  

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake from LoveandConfections.com

I love throwing parties, especially themed ones. New Year’s Eve is full of celebration, and the food should reflect that. Fun and fabulous recipes should always be on the menu, but they should also be stress-free. I start my menu prep with a grocery list and head to Walmart for my ingredients. Make sure you use the coupon for $1.00 off two Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese (valid 12/13/15-2/13/16)

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake from LoveandConfections.com
We are a Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese loving house and always have a block available in my refrigerator. I use the 8 ounce packages quite often in my baking and cooking. It make recipes that much more delicious, and I knew it would be the perfect ingredient for my Crepe Cake. Pre-made crepes are readily available in stores, but my easy Crepe Recipe is great if you want to try making them on your own.

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake from LoveandConfections.com

The Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake can be customized too. If you prefer strawberries or any other jam, you can use that. You can also flavor the cream cheese frosting with extracts or spices. A drizzle of chocolate or even a chocolate ganache frosting would also be perfect on top!

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake from LoveandConfections.com

You can find more awesome holiday recipes using Kraft products here! Also look for other great savings on Kraft Heinz products. You can save up to $13 this holiday season!

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake
A Love and Confection original recipe
Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake Ingredients:
– 36 Crepes, cooled
– 16 ounces Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
– 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar, sifted
– 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
– 12-14 ounces Seedless Raspberry Jam
– Powdered Sugar and fresh Raspberries for garnish, optional
Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake Directions:
1. Using my Crepe recipe, make the crepes and cool to room temperature.
2. Using your stand mixer, or hand mixer, beat the Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese until smooth. Add in the Powdered Sugar and beat until smooth, making sure to start out slow so the sugar does not get everywhere.
3. Switch to the whisk attachment and add in the Heavy Whipping Cream and whip until just combined and fluffy.
4. Layer the Crepes, Cream Cheese Frosting and Raspberry Jam in alternating layers (Crepe, Frosting, Crepe, Jam, Crepe, etc.) until you use all the crepes, leaving the last one on top plain.
5. Refrigerate until needed. Before serving, dust with Powdered Sugar and garnish with fresh Raspberries. You could even drizzle it with some melted chocolate for an even more delicious cake! Enjoy!
Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Crepe Cake from LoveandConfections.com


Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond #muBARista

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #muBARista #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.
Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond from mü coffeehouse cocktails is the perfect drink for happy hour and holidays!

Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond from LoveandConfections.com

I love a good cocktail, and mine tend to be on the sweeter side. Creamy and delicious is definitely a plus and one of my favorites is a Toasted Almond. Traditionally made with Amaretto, Coffee Liqueur, and either Milk or Half and Half, it is a delicious coffeehouse inspired cocktail that I made even better with mü coffeehouse cocktails.

Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond from LoveandConfections.com

I even created an easy DIY Jingle Bell Cocktail Sticks. Since the bell is a bit heavy, I added a piece of chocolate to the stick (and who can deny chocolate) to help weigh it down. Chocolate goes perfect with coffeehouse flavors and my girlfriends will love the sweet treat with their drinks. If you make a fruity holiday drink, add a piece of fruit that pairs well with the flavors. Also, if you’re heading a holiday party this year, head to Publix and grab a mü coffeehouse cocktail as a host/hostess gift.

Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond from LoveandConfections.com

Creamy Coco Cappuccino was the perfect addition in my Toasted Almond and I cannot wait to try more of the 4 available flavors – Creamy Vanilla Latte, Creamy Chocolate Chai and Creamy Espresso Macchiato. “Coffee Break Meets Happy Hour” with mü coffeehouse cocktails, which are ready to drink, great when poured over ice, or even blended to frothy perfection. Just like your favorite coffeehouse drinks, these coffeehouse inspired cocktails are creamy and offer a “kick” with 13.9% ALC. They are available at Publix and other retailers, and have a $2 instant coupon available on the bottles.

Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond from LoveandConfections.com

What is your favorite coffeehouse cocktail? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to try mü coffeehouse cocktails this holiday season!

Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond from LoveandConfections.com



Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond

A Love and Confections original recipe
Yield: 4 servings
Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond Ingredients:
– 8 ounces mü coffeehouse cocktails Creamy Coco Cappuccino
– 8 ounces Amaretto
– 8 ounces Heavy Cream
– Ice, optional

Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond Directions:
1. In a pitcher or carafe, combine the Creamy Coco Cappuccino, Amaretto and Heavy Cream. If making ahead of time, keep in the refrigerator until needed (up to 2 hours). 
2. You can serve it chilled as-is, or pour over ice into serving glasses. Please enjoy responsibly.

Creamy Coco Cappuccino Toasted Almond from LoveandConfections.com

Here is some fun barware and cocktail accessories for this recipe:


Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

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‘Tis the Season for a @Blendtec Giveaway!

It’s nearing holiday time and I know you would love to win a Blendtec Blender!

Blendtec is generously providing the blender for this amazing giveaway.

I had the opportunity to be a contributor on Brianne’s blog Cupcakes & Kale Chips this past year. I blogged a couple recipe, including Gluten Free Blackberry, Blueberry and Cherry Crisp and Homemade Pumpkin Pie Pudding.

She created a delicious looking Whipped Cauliflower Gratin with Goat Cheese and Thyme using her Blendtec and I definitely have blender envy. I always end up burning out blenders, or they don’t blend correctly. Enter below for your chance to win a Blendtec 725 & Twister Jar (over $750 value) and don’t forget to check out Cupcakes & Kale Chips’ Whipped Cauliflower Gratin!

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents 18 years of age and older. Winner will have 48 hours form being notified to respond with their shipping address in order to claim the prize. Otherwise a new winner will be selected.

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