Brownie Pop Sensations!

Cake pops!...They are everywhere these days. First it was cupcakes, and oh the dedication of the consumers, it was overwhelming! Then there was 'Cupcake Wars' and 'Georgetown Cupcakes' on TV. I actually went to Georgetown Cupcakes in DC once and there was a line around the block! I did not eat cupcakes that day. It seemed as though cupcakes were taking over until French macaroons entered the scene. Not only were they as vibrant as a bouquet of flowers, but they were delicious and decadent like a cupcake, yet not. Macaroons also seemed more high class and pretentious because they are French. Oh Je t'aime! Macaroons are not for everyone, the same for cupcakes, so then enters the Cake Pop! The cake pop is a fun and simple way of eating cake. Kids love them, they don't require utensils, and you can definitely class them up for more formal events.

So because I am in the business of chocolate I decided to cash in on this 'cake pop' fad and create a brownie pop. They are really quite easy to make, just time consuming. I decided that the best brownie for these cake pops would be my Grand Mariner Orange Zest Brownie. This brownie is not only a good consistency of moist and cakey, but they have an awesome flavor! I love a good chocolatey brownie, but one with a little extra flavor is even better in my books.

Like I said, these were time consuming! My zesty brownies looked so pretty until I had to rip them apart to create these brownie pops. Somehow it should be a crime to bake something beautiful and then tear it apart...luckily I was crumbling up my brownies in order to create something even more beautiful and delicious. The brownie balls pictured above are the crumbled brownies mixed with chocolate butter cream icing and then formed into balls with sticks.

 

 

Then came the fun part! I got to dip my funny looking brownie balls into dark chocolate. Because they are attached to a stick this was incredibly easy. The problem then comes with the cooling. Once a brownie pop has been dipped into chocolate what do you do with it?! I only have two hands, therefore I could only hold two cooling brownie pops at a time. At that rate I'd be making them all week! Luckily I am smart and was able to set up a cooling system in no time. Brownie pops saved!

So like I said, brownie pops can be easy, fun, and classy for any type of event. I made the brownie pops pictured above for the J. Ellis Wedding Show and they were very much enjoyed. (If you need a wedding photographer John is awesome! J. Ellis Photography.) I love watching formally dressed people eating a brownie on a stick, it makes my day.

Whiskey Caramels

I've had the idea for a while now to add some type of liquor to my caramel recipe. I haven't been sure of what liquor that would be though. I am definitely not a fan of whiskey, in fact I hate the stuff. My husband on the other hand, loves it! I also have quite a few friends who enjoy it too. So I figured I would make something more in their realm of enjoyment and step outside of my comfort zone.

When I am in a liquor store I am like a deer in headlights! No joke, I just don't know where to go or what to look at. There is so much liquor that it is overwhelming. It took me probably 30 minutes to pick our this bottle of Evan Williams bourbon whiskey. Next time I'll take a whiskey expert before making my decision because I know absolutely nothing about whiskey. I assure though, I am learning.

The first time I created my whiskey caramel recipe it was very dainty. Probably the most dainty delicate taste a caramel could have, which surprised me! I thought whiskey was supposed to be a harsh strong flavor, but this was nothing of the sort. Even though I really like the flavor I tweaked the recipe again and now the whiskey shines through a little stronger. It is still just a slight taste, but I now think that bourbon whiskey is the perfect compliment to caramel. I love this caramel flavor, it is my current favorite of everything that I make.