Drop Off Meal Gifts | New Babies

There seems to have been an uptick in new babies around our world lately.  I always jump at the opportunity to bring someone dinner that has a new baby at home.  It is so fun to put together a gift meal for someone, knowing/hoping that it will be just the thing to make their day go a little easier.  Of course, it doesn't have to be a new baby, it could be any reason - a kitchen under construction, a recent move, a loss, an elderly neighbor, teachers or just someone that needs a lift.



There are many components that need to work for it to be successful.  I follow these rules :

Freezer Freindly : I love to stock someone else's freezer, because I love stocking my own.  I think it is really utilized by most.  I always let them know that they can throw it in the freezer if they already have dinner plans that night.

Single Portion Options : When you are a new mom at home, being able to eat lunch with a fork from the refrigerator is nice.  I make sure it is an easy thing to make/reheat in individual portions.


Assembly Required :  I'm not a big fan of casseroles... I'm not really sure what is in it and they usually aren't that healthy or light.  I love meals that can be put together and customized (build your own tacos that can also become a salad or a bowl... or nachos, for example).

Dessert : Of course, don't forget dessert!

Wrapping Paper, Ribbons & Tags, here.

Spaghetti & Meatballs Gift 

Since our favorite comfort meal around here is Spaghetti & Meatballs, this is often my go-to meal to give.  I think it works because they can freeze the meatballs and just get them out as needed (like we do at home).  If they are going light on the gluten, they can do meatballs and sauce with a salad.  If they are doing no meat, they can do a salad and pasta with red sauce.  Lots of combinations to suit a hungry, diverse family.

I included :

• Meatballs : (about 8 so they have extra to freeze), I put them in a large Plastic Container
• Tomato Sauce : (I made one batch and split it into two medium containers, one to eat, one to freeze)
• Spaghetti : Precooked.  I want to make sure she can easily make it for herself without turning on the stove.  Not freezable, but that's ok.
• Salad : Always a good idea to include something fresh.  This also makes a good light lunch option, too.
• Homemade Vinaigrette : Always better than the bottle.  I made it right in the small container and shook it up.  I'll share recipe in a separate post. 
• Baguette
• Salted Caramel Brownies packaged in a Large Cello Bag

I labeled everything with a sharpie so they would know what's inside.

In the cooler months, I turn to Braised Beef & Vegetable Stew.  During the summer, I like to give Tessa's Tacos (braised brown sugar beef) + Guac, Pico and Mango Slaw.

I used all of my cute To-Go Packaging to make it look like it was just picked up from a cute bistro down the street.

Supplies Used :

Kraft To-Go Boxes (with condiment containers included)

Plastic Kitchen Containers

Baking Basket (for Brownies)

Wrapping Paper, Ribbons & Tags

Tote Bag (I used a brown Kraft bag, but a tote back makes a really nice secondary gift)

Shop all Kitchen Essentials, here >

How to Decorate a Cake | Homemade Celebrations

Yesterday on Instagram I announced that I was planning to start a new series on "Homemade Celebrations."  Anytime we have an occasion to celebrate, my mind starts running with ideas for cakes, flowers, colors, table settings and menus.  I love planning a party.  I also love doing it all myself.  There seems to be a growing trend in outsourcing all of the fun party things - cakes and cookies ordered from bakeries, flowers from a florist and food from a caterer.  While those parties can be lovely, I itch for the opportunity to do it myself - it can be so fun.  I completely understand if it is not your thing and I'm not suggesting you cater your own dinner for 50 or try to attempt something crazy : )  I just want to show you some of the ways we make homemade celebrations at our house - simple cakes, easy florals, and great party menus.

When I made the announcement yesterday, the biggest request was wanting help with cake decorating.  Making your family members' birthday cakes is such a great tradition.  I love that when we make birthday cakes for our family Emma is learning the value of making versus buying.  No matter where she finds herself in the future, she will be able to bake a yummy birthday cake for her loves.  It might be a small gesture, but a homemade* cake is hard to come by these days and that makes them even more special.  

*I use the term "homemade" loosely.  We usually use boxed cake mixes at our house + homemade buttercream.  On occasion, I do make cakes from scratch, but my family actually prefers boxed cakes.  Am I messing up my entire philosophy here? : )

Decorating "homemade" cakes at home is not that difficult.  There are a couple of tricks that make it easy to get good results, but most importantly, remember it doesn't have to be perfect or professional looking.  I like to see the swoops in the frosting and the blemishes - it is a cake.  It is made of butter, sugar and chocolate (in this case) and it shouldn't look perfect, it should only look delicious.  

Recipes

Here is our favorite Chocolate Buttercream Recipe.

If you don't want chocolate, you should try Swiss Buttercream.  It is so unbelievably delicious and a dream to decorate with.   So, so buttery and smooth.

If you want to make a homemade chocolate cake from scratch, try this recipe - it is a favorite when I have more time and there is not pressure to make sure it is perfect : )

Cake Essentials

2 x 8" Cake Pans
Parchment Paper
Large Baking Sheet
18" Disposable Piping Bags
Jumbo Star Tip
Offset Spatula

Shop all of the Cake & Cooking Essentials, here.  I've created their own collection so you can see everything on one page that you'll need - and use over and over in your kitchen.

One of the most important part of making a pretty cake is that it comes out of the pan easily.  Parchment Paper is your best friend in this case.  I trace a circle around the bottom of the pan, and I cut strips to line the sides.  Once cooled after baking, it comes out of the pan perfectly.

Start with 2 sheets of Parchment Paper, cut :

circle x 2

long strips x 2

short strips x 2

I use the long and the short strips to go around the sides - you'll need both to get all the way around.

I put the two 8" Round Cake Pans onto a Large Baking Sheet to go into the oven.  Putting them on the baking sheet makes them easier to handle without sloshing them around and protects your oven from spill overs.

Try to get the batter evenly between the two pans to help them bake for the same amount of time and so that they'll be the same thickness.

After they cool, I turn the cake out, upside down onto my hand.  Peel the paper off of the bottom and sides.  Ta-da.  No flouring or using spray necessary.  It also makes the pans very easy to clean.

Parchment Paper is one of those things that I use on a daily basis in our home.  I use it to line my baking sheets when roasting veggies, chicken or baking cookies, and I also use it for wrapping treats.  

You can put it flat side up or down.  If you cakes are very puffed and have a large dome, you may need to level off the top with a serrated knife.  Making the cake level is one of those things that really does add to its beauty.  If it is leaning or sloped too much, it will detract from the finished result, so try to make it as even and level as possible.  

This cake was fairly flat, so I just turned it over without trimming off the top.

Piping Bag : I use Large Disposable Piping Bags to pipe the buttercream onto the cake.  It keeps the crumbs from coming off of the cake while I'm spreading and it also helps me to distribute the frosting without making a mess.

After piping the swirl on the first layer, spread it evenly with an Offset Spatula. 

Add the other layer on top. You can put the top with the rounded top up (for a more homemade look), or you can flip it and put it bottom side up for a flat top like I did here.  Again, you may need to trim the top off if it is too puffed and uneven.

Pipe on another layer of icing, then spread it smooth with the offset spatula. 

You could leave it just like this - I love this look.  It is especially delicious looking if topped berries or candied pecans.

To do the sides, pipe the buttercream zigzagged all the way around.  This is the messy part.  My buttercream was actually pretty soft, so I needed to put it back in the fridge to firm up a bit so it would hold in place better.

Offset Spatula (new!), $6

This is a small investment item that make smoothing and decorating so much easier.  The offset handle really does make it easier to get those smooth sides and doesn't have the serrated edge of a butter knife.

Smooth the sides with the offset spatula, going all the way around, covering the spots and smoothing.  Blend it in with the top slightly and making a clean edge.  This part can take a while and requires some patience.  This is the time to remember that it is supposed to look delicious and not perfect.

See, not completely 100% "perfect" but definitely delicious and chocolatey looking.

Now, time to make it pretty.   On this cake I used the Jumbo Star Tip for both the top and the bottom.  I use it in a Large Disposable Bag - Cut off the tip of the bag about 3/4", then put the tip in and fill with frosting.  I tie a tiny rubber band around the top to keep it from squishing out the top of the bag.

This is a "shell" piping border.  You sort of swoosh each one, then taper it off to the side and overlap the next one.  

I do a little star/kiss on the top all the way around because I think this is sort of old fashioned feeling.

I added some 6" Aqua Celebration Candles.  They also come in an impressive 18" version and colors like light pink, gold and ivory.

 I adjusted the coloring of these photos to show the true color of the aqua candles - they are a perfectly pale aqua.  Blue is such a hard color to photograph!

The Wrapping Paper Collection is my newest product collection.  There are so many uses for the papers - wrapping gifts is just the start.  Here I've used the Large 2" Grosgrain Ribbon in Navy paired with my Hydrangea Wrapping Paper.  I love the tone-on-tone color scheme.

I've just added two new designs to my collection - one is a Navy Gingham and the other is a Light Pink Small Fleur Berry.  I needed a pink to have on hand for any Emma occasion and I think the Navy gingham will be perfect for little (and big...) boys and husbands.  

Are you a "homemade" celebrations person or do you tend to outsource?  If you outsource, is because you are not confident in your skills or because of time shortage?  I get so much satisfaction out of making and being able to make that I want to continue share these tips and encourage others to try it.

Cake Essentials

2 x 8" Cake Pans
Parchment Paper
Large Baking Sheet
18" Disposable Piping Bags
Jumbo Star Tip
Offset Spatula

Shop all of the Cake & Cooking Essentials, here.

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon "Homemade" Bread | Holiday Gifts

I've told the story before - before Mike and I were even dating, I served warm "homemade" bread at a dinner party at my house, and he raved about it for weeks.  Did that lead to him finally asking me out?  I guess we'll never know...  The Barefoot Contessa has her "Engagement Roasted Chicken" and I have my "homemade" bread.  

You can make a loaf size as in the first photo, or you can cut the log into cinnamon rolls and bake them in the Medium Size Basket instead.

 My secret weapon to "homemade" bread is Rhodes frozen bread dough.  (This is not paid, by the way.)  It is found in almost every grocery store in the freezer department.  Over the years I have transformed the simple dough into Cinnamon Rolls, Monkey Bread, Pecan Rolls, Pizza Bread, etc. 

When I saw these Wooden Bread Baking Baskets I knew they would be just the thing to take my "homemade" bread to the next level.  I've seen them many times in Martha Stewart used to package gifts and treats, too.  I love the rustic element that compliments to the already rustic bread.

This Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Bread is soooo good.  I may have eaten half of it warm out of the oven.  I'll be giving it to all of our neighbors, teachers and friends this year as gifts.  During the holidays it is always nice to have something around the house like this for breakfast, or an afternoon snack with coffee for those last minute pop-ins of friends.

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Bread

Get my Printable Recipes, here.

1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 loaf of frozen bread dough (Rhodes brand)
3 tablespoons of butter, softened
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
.......
Egg Wash :
1 egg, beaten
.......
2 tablespoons of butter melted
1 cup of powdered sugar
milk, to thin, if necessary

Let the dough thaw overnight in the refrigerator.  You can also use your defrost setting the in microwave if you're in a pinch.  Each log of dough will make one loaf.  I put a little oil in the bowl, then put in the dough.  I flip the dough around a couple of times to coat it with the oil, so as it rises it doesn't stick to the bowl.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap.

I set my oven at 120 degrees, put in a pan of warm water, and let it rise in the oven.  

I decided to throw another log of dough in after I took the first photos.  This is what they looked like after rising for an hour and a half.

I separated the two, then rolled each out on a floured surface.  I had the wooden baking basket out to make sure I was rolling it out to the correct size.

Butter generously.

Top with brown sugar and cinnamon.  You could also add raisins and nuts.

 Roll it up.

And place it, seam down, into the basket.  They come with paper liners, but you don't have to use them.  The flour on the dough will help them release from the pan naturally... just like authentic bread baking baskets.

I brushed the loaf with a little oil, then let them rise for another hour and a half.  Before they go into the oven, brush with an egg wash.

They bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes - or until golden. 

 Another way to check to see if it is done is to "thump" the bread.  If it sounds hollow it is done!

I drizzled it with a simple mixture of melted butter, powdered sugar and milk to make a quick glaze.  I let it harden, then packed them up.

Products Used :

Large Wooden Baking Basket
Large Cello Bag