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Author Archive for Dessert Darling – Page 2

Hansen’s Cookies.. they should stick to their day job… CAKES!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

When I stopped by Hansen’s Cakes to buy cupcakes for a friend’s birthday, I couldn’t resist getting some of their cookies. I’d never before seen cookies at the famous cake bakery and thought it my duty to try them, even if they looked unappealing in plastic wrap. Thankfully, the cookies didn’t smell of plastic the way some wrapped goods do, but that’s where the good news ends. I got a White Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Cookie which were both nearly too firm to break. The rubbery crumbles in my mouth tasted stale, despite the fact that the sale’s lady swore otherwise. I call bluff. Cookies aside, Hansen’s makes the most delightful cupcakes, and at only $1 buck a pop, you can’t go wrong them. Stay tuned for Hansen’s cupcake review tomorrow.

For more info on Hansen’s Cakes, click here.

Comments (0)

Chocolate Zuccotto Cake from Maggiano’s Little Italy

By Dessert Darling · Comments (4)
Sunday, April 29th, 2012

This weekend I ate enough desserts to sustain me for two weeks worth of posts! Yowza- it was a Serious sugar-showdown. Let’s start with this Chocolate Zuccotto Cake from Maggiano’s. If you’re wondering what the heck a Zuccotto is, it’s basically a chilled cake with alcohol (traditionally brandy), mousse or ice cream layers, and is made into the shape of Florence’s famous dome, the “duomo”.

I couldn’t wait to slice into this impressive mound of a dessert!

Just look at those heavenly layers- so much cake to consume!

This Zuccotto had a rich chocolate flavor deepened by the distinctly licorice liquor, Sambuca. I enjoyed the fun and playful consistencies of the cake and mousse, but the thick and slightly rubbery chocolate encapsulating the cake didn’t harmonize with the soft and bouncy layers inside. If you’re a chocolate fanatic though, you’ll surely love this dessert.

For more info on Maggiano’s Little Italy, click here.

Comments (4)

Kara’s Cupcakes in the SF Bay Area

By Dessert Darling · Comments (2)
Friday, April 27th, 2012

I light up anytime I see cupcakes at an event.. however, the array of avant-garde cupcakes at an engagement party disappointed me. Why was the frosting so flawlessly smooth? Were they made by human hands or aliens?

I learned these were Kara’s Cupcakes, which excited me again since I hadn’t tried them yet. But as I approached the dessert tray, I grew wary. The tall poof of icing perched on top, exposed the cake’s naked edges. Hmm, I like my cake to be evenly covered in icing. I guess the logic was, the icing was so tall it shouldn’t matter. But then I found the height of the icing distressing. How am I going to get this all in my mouth without getting icing on my nose? Am I supposed to eat this with a fork? Why be a cupcake if I have to eat you with a fork??

This cupcake did not look like fun. I dove in anyway…The icing was so airy-whipped that my teeth sliced right through as it evaporated in my mouth. The texture, or complete lack there of, was slippery smooth.. bleh. I need resistance, texture, a little density..just a little.

That all said, Kara’s were made with quality ingredients and had a fine flavor, and um.. I did eat five cupcakes that night (hey, a girl’s gotta be sure.) I much preferred the ones with sprinkles, which added desperately needed consistency.. and they were particularly yummy sprinkles, not like the waxy kind you buy at the store.

I’ve gotta say though…Kara’s Cupcakes? Not my cup of cake.~

 

Image from JonasApproved.com

For more info on Kara’s Cupcakes, click here.

Comments (2)

Simplethings Pies, Trader Joe’s Chocolate, Ice Cream, Dessert Wine & Champagne

By Dessert Darling · Comments (1)
Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Oh what a night! My fabulous friend Mia is always the hostess with the most-est! The other night she & her guy had Tyler and me over for a home cooked meal. I knew that the evening would end Happily Ever After when I saw these delicious pies by Simplethings on the console next to a bottle of Veuve Cliquot (pie review here).

But first, I took down a bowl of these addictive, Trader Joe’s Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds, perhaps one of my favorite items at TJ’s. Once I start, I can’t stop eating them! Naturally, this was before dinner was served (roasted chicken, succulent salmon, and amazing sides, btw).

Then Mia whipped out some homemade ice cream that she made with the best Vanilla Bean Paste and a touch of heaven.

I had the “genius” idea to make a Dessert Wine Float by adding ice cream to my flute of sweet wine.

And by “genius,” I mean I was was very ill the next day….(eeeg)

But ultimately it was a great night and well worth it!

And Mia got the Golden Cherry for her fabulous cooking!

 

Comments (1)

Chocolate Croissant from The Black Cat Bakery

By Dessert Darling · Comments (4)
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

For 21 years Mani’s Bakery reigned supreme on Fairfax & 6th St. with its healthy baked goods. Then Mani’s tried to expand to a larger space in a sleepy part of Beverly Hills, and is consequently out of business (sad). In its old Fairfax location though, a new bakery has popped up. Introducing Black Cat Bakery, a sleeker and more appealing neighborhood spot, if I may say so myself.

The breakfast and savory food at Black Cat is totally delicious, and the decor feels fresh, compared to the ’70s vibe that Mani’s gave off. However, the bakery selection looked pretty minimal and not totally exciting. I opted for a this Chocolate Croissant.

The chocolate inside it was super delish.

If I were to be super picky, the croissant could have been slightly more buttery and flaky. But really, I’m docking half a cherry here for the lackluster dessert display upfront. I mean, they call themselves a bakery… show me the goods!

Ultimately, I’m delighted by this new little joint and I look forward to brunch there again. But if they want to make me a regular, they need to up the ante on the desserts!

For more info on Black Cat Bakery, click here.

BTW- very interesting that The Little Next Door and Black Cat Bakery, only blocks away from each other, both feature black cats!

 

XOXO

Comments (4)

Macarons from Miette in San Francisco

By Dessert Darling · Comments (6)
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012


This weekend in SF I made sure to stop by the historic Ferry Building to to visit Miette, a little bakery that Conde Naste deemed to be one of the top ten pastry shops in the world. While I had an incredible experience with their caramel panna cotta and coconut cake, I’d like to discuss their macarons.

As a refresher, macarons are meringue based, almond cookies that sandwich delicious ganache or jam fillings. Traditionally, macarons appear in festive and delightful settings ranging from intimate tea parties to elegant weddings. Additionally, they make wonderful little gifts. Half the charm of macarons is the range of playful colors and flavors in which they come. This trait is where Miette’s macaron’s fall short. Their cookies only come in natural shades of rugged almond, or perhaps chocolate, depending on the flavor. While I love natural and organic ingredients for my goodies, the macaron is not the cookie to downgrade the fun.

Furthermore, these cookies are extra chewy, thus lacking the melt-in-your-mouth quality that the best macarons possess. Three cherries for these natural yet drab and chewy cookies.

 

Miette Macarons

For more information on Miette, click here.

Comments (6)

Wonderful Pastries from the Little Next Door on 3rd Street

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

For years I have lived down the street from a darling French bistro that had the most lamentable French pastries. I mean, really- how can a Parisan cafe go wrong with the desserts?! Thankfully, The Little Next Door has hired a new pastry chef and wow, what a difference! These sweet coffee and pistachio eclairs literally had my eyes rolling back into my head.

Just look at that creamy, pistachio filling!

And while this flaky Napoleon was a little hard to eat, it’s gentle hand on the sugar made for a lovely and mild alternative to the eclairs.

Even the macarons, for which I wrote this unfavorable review in 2010, are significantly better.

I’m so delighted that The Little Next Door has stepped it up with their desserts! Now I can officialy call it one of my favorite neighborhood joints.

For more info on The Little Next Door, click here.

Comments (0)

Blueberry and Strawberry Cheesecake Trifles at Champagne Bakery

By Dessert Darling · Comments (1)
Friday, April 20th, 2012

Today I dropped into Champagne Bakery, a chain french bakery and cafe. I wasn’t that hungry, so it delighted me to see that they offered mini portions, like the Blueberry and Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle.

I opted for the mini Blueberry Trifle, which tasted like it had  been sitting on the shelf for a while as the whipped cream on top had solidified into a glue-like substance. Furthermore, a strong lemon flavor alarmed my taste buds. Say what? I didn’t want a zingy lemon dessert! I wanted a cool and creamy trifle, accented by fresh blueberries. When I asked the lady behind the counter if she knew that the trifle was indeed, lemon curd, she gladly gave me the Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle for free. Wooo! That was a really nice gesture that nearly upped their cherry points (nearly, not quite).

Blueberry
The Strawberry Cheesecake option definitely tasted more fresh and had a playful mix of consistencies with the fluffy whipped cream, chunky crust moments, smooth cream cheese center, and soft fresh strawberries. That said, the cream cheese was a bit sour (could have used more sugar) and overall, well.. I threw it away less than half way through. (Sigh).. Perhaps I didn’t choose the right desserts here, but I say pass on the Trifles when you drop in the Champagne Bakery and make sure that what you order looks fresh!

Strawberry

For more information on Champagne Bakery, click here.

 

XOXO

Comments (1)

FUN! Ice Cream Filled Brownies- Easiest Giveaway ever :)

By Dessert Darling · Comments (4)
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Yay! You might remember this post about these awesome, all natural, ice cream filled “brown-ees” by Q-bees.


You may have also noticed that I just published an Ebook on Wedding Planning. :)

Well, the amazing people at Q-bee treats are sending FIVE fans a FREE box of ice cream filled brownies if you tweet me, mention my ebook, or #Follow @DessertDarling, and #Brownees.

For example:  

#Follow @DessertDarling! She just wrote an ebook on Wedding Planning! http://wedding-darling.com/ebook/ #Brownees

Or any variation of those sentiments that you please :-)

I’ll put all the Tweeters names in a hat and the first 5 I pull get a free box in the mail. How EASY is that?! Fun fun. I’ll announce a winner next week.

Ready- set-  GO!

ps: I’m SOOOOOO Craving a Q-bees Brownee right now– AhhhhhH!

Comments (4)

My Wedding on Style Me Pretty Today! Ahhh! Dessert Table Recap

By Dessert Darling · Comments (7)
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Ahhhh! I Absolutely CANNOT believe it! Today my favorite wedding blog, StyleMePretty is featuring my wedding at 12pm Pacific time! WOW!!!!!! I’m so incredibly honored that I’m beside myself! In light of this feature, I’m posting a recap of my Wedding Dessert Table below.

  1. Cheesecake Pops dipped in white and dark chocolate by Sweet Lauren Cakes for a slightly sour and savory dimension. (more here)
  2. Bears on a Stick by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Pretzel rods dipped in caramel, rolled in peanuts, and drizzled in chocolate for a salty-sweet, crunchy option.  I know people like salty items when they’re drinking- these were a Huge hit. (more here)
  3.  Swizzle Cakes, cocktail inspired mini-cupcakes with a slight alcoholic kick. To die for. (more here)
  4. Christopher Elbow Chocolates because who doesn’t like gorgeous, artisan, gourmet chocolates!? (more here)
  5. Circus Animal Cookies for nostalgic’s sake.. and the pink and white colors!  (more here)!

 ALSO, in exciting news…

I wrote an EBOOK on Wedding Planning!

GET IT:

For your Kindle here.
For your Nook here.
For your i-pad: download the Free Nook app onto your iPad here and purchase the book here.
For your Computer: download the Free Nook app for your mac or PC here and purchase the book here.

Or click here for more info on the ebook :)

XOXO

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