Thoughts4Thursday ...

I'm starting something a little new...

Gosh, do you feel like everything is new around here?

I have a lot of 

ideas 

thoughts

jokes 

{not necessarily funny}

criticisms 

and so on...

that, to be honest, can drive my husband a little crazy! lol!

So, y'all get to hear it ...

This Thursday is all about My List -

you know, my Life's To-Do List 

a.k.a.

- In no particular order -

1. See Alaska. 
2. Take my son to see Mickey Mouse in person.
3. Tour a cheese, a coffee and a candy factory.
4. Eat at one of Gordan Ramsey's Restaurants in England.
5. Milk a cow.
6. Open a business with my husband.
7. Go kayaking in Hawaii.
8. Take a pottery class.
9. Attend a blog convention.
10. Go for a hike in Ireland.
11. Taste a macaron in Paris.
12. Buy my husband a car.
13. Show my son this beautiful country in a way that will teach and inspire him.
14. Own a boat - and take it out often.
15. Go for a hot air balloon ride. 
16. Move to the country- have a large yard with a picket fence and a puppy for Mason.
17. Plant a vegetable garden in that said yard.
18. Swim in the Mediterranean Sea.
19. Become a volunteer.
20. Meet a President. {past or present...heck, I guess even a future one will work!}
21. Go wireless for a month. {no facebook, no blog, no twitter, no email!}
22. Help plan a wedding.
23. See a movie at a drive-in theater.
24. Take a train somewhere ... anywhere!
25. Learn how to sew more than just buttons.
26. Buy a fancy camera and take a photography class.
27. Write a cookbook. 
28. Ride on a cherry picker.
29. Shop in a Trader Joe's.
30. Have an antiquing weekend with friends.
31. Maaaaybe even get #27's book published?!

Sources : Alaska * Cow * Balloon * Macarons * No Facebook * Camera * Cherry Picker * Trader Joes

You know, making that list wasn't as hard as I thought it would be ... I guess because deep down, we are all somewhat selfish. I know I can be at times, anyway. I tell my husband all the time,

I wanna travel more...

I wish I had this...

My life would be so much easier if I had...

How cool would it be to do that...

At the end of the day, though, I have a pretty fantastic life!

My family and I are so blessed, I am in awe of it!

And, although I would LOVE to scratch all 31 things off my bucket list,

if I didn't, I couldn't help but still feel happy and fulfilled!

I guess that's what they call

contentment!

:)

Y'all have a great holiday weekend! I'm off on another trip to the Sam's ... another fabulous seashell wedding cake is in my near future!

Master Chef Inspires

Have y'all been keeping up with Gordon Ramsey's 

Master Chef?

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Whew! 

Huge props to those contestants! I couldn't imagine serving:

Graham Elliot

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Joe Bastainich

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-OR- Gordan Ramsey

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anything I've cooked! Talk about being intimidated!!

But, it sure does make for good TV!

Well, on Monday night's episode the home chefs were given the challenge of dessert with the main component being coffee or espresso. As we were watching more than half of them fail, hubs asked what I would have done.

Probably a French Macaron Trifle, I answered after a second's thought. I'm not even sure where the idea came from ... but, the moment I said it was the moment I knew I had to try it!

Chocolate Espresso French Macaron Trifle

It's basically several chocolate espresso macarons layered with espresso whipped cream. 

Whoa, right!?

It's super decadent and creamy with just the most wonderful mocha flavor. I'm gonna have to say it: Yum-o!

Alright - talk to you later!!

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Just kidding!! 

You want the recipe, doncha!?

Serves 4

12 Chocolate Espresso French Macarons

1 cup Whipping Cream

3 tbsp Powder Sugar

2 tsp Instant Coffee or Espresso Powder

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

For the macarons:

If you are lucky enough to have a French bakery in your area, feel free to buy your macarons!! However, if you are like me {living in a small town} and have no access to such, HERE is a fantastic recipe that spells everything out for ya! 

For the cream:

Start by whisking the cream on low and increase the speed as it thickens. Slowly add sugar, coffee and vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form. *Watch the cream - if over beaten, it will become soupy and unusable.*

To assemble:

Start with gorgeous glasses or flutes and place a good tablespoon of cream in the bottom. Place a macaron down and then alternate, cream then cookie, until you have 3 layers. Top with a little more whip cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.

I love this!! :) My anthem for life!!
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This is the WOW FACTOR our above judges are constantly referring to:

1. It's gorgeous! I mean, look at those layers of pure perfection!!
2. It's creamy mocha goodness - only the best way to end a meal!
3. It's got texture - smooth ganache meets cool whipped cream and then POW: chewy macaron fabulousness!

Have I got your wheels going yet?

Just imagine the flavor combinations:

Lemon Raspberry

Chocolate Orange

Strawberry Cream

White Chocolate Pistachio

Let your imagination run wild!!

Put this dish up for your harshest judges to try and let them vote...

I bet you'll keep your apron to cook another night!

Enjoy this awesome summer treat!

Parties I Linked Up To:

Whatever Goes Wednesday - Someday Crafts
Cast Party - Lady Behind The Curtain
Show Off Your Stuff - Fireflies and Jellybeans
Sweet Tooth Friday - Alli N Son
Sweets For A Saturday

Usual Mornings, Plus DIY PopTarts

Good Morning!!

My kiddo and I have a morning routine pretty down pat around here ...

We usually wake up between 7:30-8 ... I am soooo thankful I have a late sleeper! Momma don't do 6am very well!  ;)  

Look at that handsome bed bug!!

The very first thing Mason asks for is chok milk  {chocolate milk} - we drink a.lot. of milk in the Cahoon house. I'm not kidding when I say we go through 2-3 gallons a week. Yes, that is for only 3 of us! 

Here is my trick for letting him have "chok milk" without accumulating ALL THAT SUGAR:

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• Nestle Nesquick Mix {25% Less Sugar}
• I stir in 1 tablespoon of mix {HALF of what's the labeled amount} into 8 ounces of Whole Milk

So,what is that- 

like 75% less sugar?! 

Haha....okay, so maybe math isn't my strongest suit!

Then, baby watches mous {that's Micky Mouse Clubhouse} while I make *COFFEE* and breakfast.

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Homemade Pop Tarts 

were on the menu for today!

{I mean, if I'm saving him from all that sugar in his milk, he might as well have a Pop Tart!}

The first time I made this, the hubby was just plain disgusted with me! Haha, he said, thanks a lot, Jade...now you've ruined Pop Tarts for me, too! I'll only ever be able to eat yours now without being disappointed!

He's so silly!

This recipe is SO easy - and SO worth it! Mmmm mmmm!

• Prepared Pie Crust {Homemade [recipe - P.D. rocks!] or Store Bought}
• Your Favorite Fruit Jam or Preserve
• Powder Sugar, Milk, Vanilla and Sprinkles for Frosting {optional}

Roll out your pie crust and cut into any shape, making sure there is a top and bottom for each pastry. Place enough jam to fill center of dough without running out the sides. Put the "top" on and crimp edges with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 8 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

While the pastry is baking, measure out a cup of powder sugar. Add milk, one teaspoon at a time, and wisk until the icing has formed. Wisk in a splash of vanilla.

Let the pop tarts cool for a minute or two before frosting. Add sprinkles and enjoy!!

These are fantastic!! The best thing about making them yourself is you can use your own crust and even any variety of homemade jam you have on hand! No preservative or additive worries here + the flavor combinations are endless!!

Wanna look like Supermom!?
Pull this recipe out at your babe's next sleep over ... the kids will flip and they'll go home and tell their momma's how awesome you are!
{wink, wink}

They are hot, gooey, flaky, soft and sweet! 

Ohhh yuuuum!! 

Not only will your babies eat 'em right up, but all you mommas out there will be in love, too! 

Well, I hope you all are only finding happiness on this beautiful Tuesday! Now go forth, and ruin your family's ability to eat store bought pastries!  ;) 

Parties I Linked Up To:
Whatever Goes Wednesday - Someday Crafts
Cast Party Wednesday - Lady Behind The Curtain
Show Off Your Stuff - Fireflies and Jellybeans
Sweets For A Saturday

Changes, A Rant and Sweet Babies

I updated my FB status today:

got a very interesting {and quite hilarious} letter today ... wow!

And, you can probably see a few changes to the blog,

i.e. new name, new web address, new header, etc.

So, this is what's going on ... I received word today from an attorney stating his clients {Sweet Street Dessert, Redding PA} has become aware of my business and feels I am "infringing" on their trademark. 

{7 trademarks to be exact!}

Faaabulous, right!?

My mouth dropped to the FLOOR when I read this ... I mean, this is my HOBBY. I am in a very small kitchen and don't even hit the double digits in income per year, yet they feel like I could possibly cause a dip in their business! Ha! They were also afraid consumers would confuse the Sweet Street in South Carolina and the one in PA, even though it is quite obvious I'm a home baker. All I can say is WOW!

I mean, I guess I can take it as {sort of} a compliment ... my treats must look pretty darn professional to get this kind of attention!  :)  I'll just keep telling myself that! Teehee!

Anyways, that's the deal and there's my rant. The law is the law, so I had to basically start over. But, I am super excited about this new venture!

Mason James is my uber-energetic 2 year old son who inspires me daily! From the day he was born, my mother-in-law has called him Sweet Baby James {after the James Taylor song}, so I thought it would be fitting! I mean, he is my life! 

This blog will still be chock full of recipes, pictures and food related posts - just with a mommy spin on it. You guys haven't really met "Jade The Momma," so I will post a few mommy related stories as well. And, of course, any and all etsy updates!! {My product line has a new name as well - Sweet Babies!!} Totally adorable, right!? Don't worry, I've checked - the new name is golden!

I'm thinking maybe all this happened for a reason ... is there anything better than a love of cupcakes? 

Yes, the love of  family!

So, that's the new Sweet Street  - ahem, I mean MY BLOG! I do hope you continue to follow along on this wild ride I call life! I truly love every minute spent in the kitchen ... and enjoy sharing my experiences with you!

Since I have had to change the domain name, to recieve updates you will have to click "Follow" again. I am sorry about that! I hope you stick around! New recipes soon! Thanks guys!

Best EVER German Chocolate Cake

HAPPY

FATHER'S

DAY!!

Is there any dessert out there that better represents all the men in our lives than German Chocolate? I don't know what it is, but my dad and my father-in-law both put this cake in their Top 3!

So, I dusted off an old recipe today ... and remembered just why they love it so much!!

The

Pecan-Coconut Frosting,

of course!

There are some recipes that call for evaporated milk ... some sweetened condensed ...some just straight up tell you to buy it canned. {gag!} It can be a little confusing.

Well, I've got some tips to make the best EVER 

German Chocolate Cake!

Cake:

1 cup butter, unsalted

8 oz. German Chocolate, melted

1 1/2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 cup sour cream {or buttermilk}

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. instant coffee or espresso

1 tsp. good vanilla extract

8 oz. German Chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Measure out flour and place in a bowl. Add baking soda and salt and sift - set aside. In another bowl, cream butter, melted chocolate and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add in sour cream and flour mixture, alternating between each, until all of both is used. Lastly, add coffee, vanilla and chopped chocolate. Beat until everything is combined.
Pour into two 9inch pans and bake in the middle of the oven for 16-18 minutes, or until a tooth pick comes out clean. Let cool.

Frosting:

1 14oz. can of evaporated milk
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, room temp
1 vanilla bean, split down the center (or 2 tsp. good vanilla extract)
4 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups toasted coconut
1 cup toasted pecans

{You MUST do this 1st step - completely takes this frosting to it's highest potential!!} Place coconut and pecans on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees until both are golden brown. Set aside to cool. In a saucepan, combine milk, sugar, vanilla bean and butter. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally. In a bowl, lightly beat egg yolks. When butter has melted, slowly pour beaten yolks into the milk mixture, whisking continuously. Still whisking, let the frosting cook until thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and stir in coconut and pecans. Set aside and let cool completely.

Assemble:

When cake and frosting has totally cooled, spread half the frosting on the inside of one layer. Place the next layer on top and lightly press into frosting. Spread the other half of frosting to the edges. I like to leave the edges bare - I think it gives a rustic, homemade feel to the cake. However, if you prefer frosting the sides, you will need to double this recipe.

The best part of this cake {other than the frosting!!} is the little chunks of chocolate throughout the cake! It's a nice contrast to the soft layers! And, there aren't even words to express the fabulous-ness of the frosting! It's gooey, toasty and sweet with such a nice vanilla background. {I love seeing little specks of vanilla!!} This really is the ultimate German Chocolate Cake!

I hope all your dad's and hubby's had a wonderful Father's Day! I know we highly enjoyed the day here in SC! :) Have a happy week!

Parties I Linked To:
Sweet Tooth Fridays - Ali N Son
Sweet As Sugar Cookies

Let's Talk About ... Whoopie!

Whoopie Pie, that is!!! ;)

These soft, cake-like cookie shells filled with fluffy and not-too-sweet marshmallow cream is a New England staple. It actually got it's name when kiddo's opened their lunch boxes at school and yelled "Whhhooopppiie!" when they saw one of these cookies packed in with their sandwiches and chips. 

Too sweet, right!?

Well, I think it's time us Southerners had a little taste of the north! Only, with a little twist ...

New To Etsy:

Sweet Street's Cream Cakes aren't like any you've seen before! The cookie shells are moist with just the right amount of sweetness ... the cream filling is super light {I mean, the main ingredient is marshmallows!!} and not overwhelmingly sugary! 

But, here's the surprise - each cookie is then rolled in complimentary confections {like candies and nuts} and then dusted with a yummy powder - not only to add another layer of flavor, but to also help the cookie release from it's wrapper. These powders include things like crushed nuts, smashed cookies like Oreo's and dark cocoa powder.

Ohhh Yeaahhh! 

I offer a box of 6 or 12 with 18 flavors to choose from, including:

Kid At Heart

Vanilla shells baked with colorful sprinkles inside and filled with sweet marshmallow cream. It is then rolled in more sprinkles and dusted with pixie stick powder.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Blast

Peanut butter shells, each dipped in chocolate ganache and filled with chunky peanut butter cream. It is then rolled in Reese's Pieces and dusted with crushed Reese's cereal.

Banana Nana

Fresh banana shells filled with sweet marshmallow cream, rolled in toasted walnuts and dusted with crushed Vanilla Wafers.

Snickerdoodle

Sweet and spicy cake filled with spiced marshmallow cream, rolled in toasted pecans and dusted with a cinnamon-sugar blend.

Hunky Oatmeal

Spiced oatmeal shells filled with warm maple cream, rolled in crisp turkey bacon and dusted with crushed toasted pecans.

S'more's Please

Homemade graham cracker shells dipped in chocolate ganache and filled with sweet marshmallow cream. It is then rolled in Ghirardelli chocolate chunks and dusted with toasted graham cracker crumbs.

They are individually wrapped and placed in a gift box tied with a ribbon, so they are ready to give as a gift! 

{A handwritten card can be included at no additional charge, as well.} 

So, head on over to my etsy shop and browse through the full menu of flavors! 

And ... WHY NOT GET 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE!?!

Exclusive Offer To 

Sweet Life 

Followers Only:

Use coupon code SWEETLIFE10 at checkout and receive a 10% discount on the purchase price!! 

Whhhhaaaa Hoo ... {ahem} or should I say, 

Whhhhoooooppppiie!!!! 

DIY Vanilla Extract

I love subscribing to blogs!

I think I follow close to 200 hundred different sites...

there is SO MUCH talent out there!

So many ideas, recipes, suggestions and tips on how to live...well, better!

Well, I ran across an idea/recipe the other day in a linky party that I am pretty sure is going to change my life!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

I had no idea it was so easy!

The hardest part is waiting 6 months for the steeping process to be complete - 

literally!

I am ALL about giving credit where credit is due...so, run on over to Southern Girl Creations and read about their AWESOME idea I'm totally copying!! 

Here's The Recipe:

1 gallon Vodka {any brand, any grade you like}

100 Vanilla Beans

THAT'S IT!

All you have to do it split the vanilla bean down the shell's center, leaving about an inch on each end uncut {so the bean stays intact} and let them steep in the vodka for 6 months. Your container needs to be placed in a cool, dry spot {like the back of your pantry} ... and just needs a little shimmy-shake every week or two. 

Southern Girl Creations had a fantastic lead on quality vanilla beans at a wholesale price through a shop on ebay - CLICK HERE to check them out!

As you can imagine, I go through a lot of vanilla in a year's time - I'm super stoked about having my own supply! One of those half gallons is ALL MINE!!  :)  But, I will share the other, I promise! 

Once it's bottled up and given a cutsie tag, they will be perfect for gift giving and event favors!  

**If you start now, your batch could be ready for Christmas!!**


Parties I Linked To:
Amaze Me Monday - Dittle Dattle
Masterpiece Monday - Boogieboard Cottage

RUN!!

Yes, RUN into the kitchen 

right this moment and pour 

yourself a glass of ice cold milk!

 Because I have a recipe 

that is going to blow your

peanut butter lovin' mind!

BY: SUGAR PLUM BLOG

I just have to start this off by explaining my sheer LOVE of CAP"N CRUNCH cereal! 

It always has been ... and always will be my favorite flavor! 

When I was pregnant with my son, I lived on this cereal {well, that and Chic-fil-A} - CAP'N CRUNCH was my midnight snack every single night for like months. 

lol, I never buy it because of this obsession I hold; I'll eat way too much and completely blow whatever possibility of a healthy diet I may have going on.

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When I saw this recipe pop up on my Google Reader the other day, my mouth dropped! 

Heeelllllooo! 

CAP'N CRUNCH, dark chocolate and peanut butter all together in one cookie!? 

You can find the full recipe by clicking HERE. Emily over at Sugar Plum comes up with the funnest recipes! 

I heart her and her crazy combinations!

I made a few changes, mostly because I am lazy, ahem, didn't feel like getting two bags of sugar out. Instead of using both brown and white sugar, I opted for all brown. The only difference I saw was mine turned out to be slightly darker in color. 

If you love the PB and Chocolate combo, you'll flip over this cookie! It's pretty super-fantastic! 

Chewy and peanut butter-y with the smoothness and slight tang of dark chocolate. It's the perfect adult chocolate chip cookie!

Enjoy your weekend!! 

&

Happy Baking!

A Tea Themed Shower

A couple of weeks ago, I had a super sweet lady write me on etsy about providing sugar cookie pops and edible bow cupcake toppers for a bridal tea she was hosting for her sister, the bride-to-be.

After talking about the theme, we decided to go with tea pot and cup shaped cookies {minus the sticks} with polka dots in the wedding colors; kelly green, black and white. 

Here are the cookies on their tablescape:

{I provided the tea cup cookie and bow cupcake topper in this photo}

I also created edible bow cupcake toppers in kelly green for the bride's special day ... look at how cute they looked mixed in with the paper toppers:

The pictures were provided by the host - THANK YOU for sending them my way, Rayna! I'm so glad I was invited to be apart of such a fun shower! I wish the best of luck to the bride-to-be on her final wedding plans! 

Do you have an event coming up and need some super cute goodies for your guests? Let me help you out! Please visit my etsy shop and browse my products ... they can all be customized to fit any theme!