“I recently hosted a trunk show and needed some sweets to serve my guests so I called none other than Alexandria favorite,  Treats By Erica.

Highly sought-after for events and parties around town, Erica whips up some pretty sinful sweets.  I have no idea what she puts in her bon bons but they are my absolute favorite (and I’m pretty picky about my sweets).

Not only do her treats taste delicious but they arrive artfully arranged on a platter so its ready to go for your event. As nearly every guest arrived and passed by the platter of treats they asked, “Are these Erica’s delicious treats?” or “These must be Erica’s!” I swear I’m not exaggerating.

Indeed, Erica  has a following and rightfully so.

Next time you need some delicious sweets for your party or office event contact Treats By Erica and make sure you tell her Alexandria Lifestyle sent you!!”

(http://www.alexandrialifestyle.com/eating/everyone-needs-a-treat/)

erica@treatsbyerica.com / (202) 361-6611

I love to bake, of course – But when I’m baking for a purpose like this one, I love it even more.  Here’s to teachers!  Without you, I would have to home school!

“A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others“  ~Author Unknown

I was asked to provide Easter treats for a big egg hunt this last weekend, and these are the bon bons I created.  Fun to make, easy on the eyes, and, most importantly, tasty!   Spring pastels just make me happy – How about you?

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that my marshmallow lollipops, and several bon bon flavors (coffee, peanut butter and coconut) are absolutely wheat/gluten free.

So, while I go back in the kitchen and try to create a decadent gluten-free brownie, at least you can have a marshmallow, or bon bon, and wish me some gluten-free luck!

And after a 1 week break from the kitchen, I am back in action and excited to make 2011 even tastier than 2010.

Happy New Year!

What is a bon bon anyway?  It’s not a truffle – A truffle is a chocolate-based confection, usually a ganache base rolled in cocoa or finely chopped nuts.  Bon bons, on the other hand, are not chocolates to begin with; they are sweet confections that can stand alone, but instead get dipped in chocolate at the very end of the candy making process. This creates a thin layer of chocolate around the candy instead of the thicker shell commonly associated with truffles.

The name bon bons stems from the French word “bon”, which means “good”.  Think: Bon Voyage (have a good trip/voyage), Bon Appétit (have a good meal/appetite). Put a “bon” and a “bon” together and you’ve got something doubly good – a goody goody!  I couldn’t agree more.

And now joining the bon bon menu are three new flavors – cookie dough, coconut and coffee.

And yes, they taste the best while relaxing on the couch with your feet up…..

So, I decided to turn those childhood favorites into cupcakes.  Twinkies became a delicate yellow cake with light and airy marshmallow filling.  Ding Dongs became a dark, rich devil’s food cake with marshmallow filling, topped with chocolate ganache and those signature white squiggles.  Both super yummy, and while not exactly health food, MUCH better for you than the real thing.

I had never filled a cupcake before, but it was fun!  Well, the first attempt was a disaster – filling oozing out all over the place.  Not pretty, but my kids and I had no problem eating the mistake.  Now, I’ve got it figured out, and want to do some more!

So, creative friends, what other fillings shall I try, and with what cakes?  Chocolate cake with peanut butter filling?  Carrot cake with cream cheese filling?  What delectable combination shall I try next?

How fantastic!  I never knew there was such a designation, but I certainly know how much I love ice cream.  Ice cream sundaes, ice cream shakes, ice cream floats, ice cream cakes…..

In 1984, Ronald Reagan declared July as National Ice Cream Month, and the 3rd Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day.

To celebrate ice cream, I am creating some new cupcakes inspired by my favorite ice cream flavors.  Cookies n’ Cream cupcakes (vanilla cupcakes with chunks of cookies, fluffy buttercream frosting and an Oreo sticking out), dulce de leche (chocolate cupcakes with a caramel filling and caramel drizzled on top)…..ooh, I am getting hungry just thinking about the possibilities.

What are your favorite ice cream flavors?  Maybe your fave will become the best cupcake, ever!