1000 Pillows

One of John’s favorite deserts is Linzer Torte. I have never had it, but he says, “It is out of this world.”

I found this recipe for Linzer Torte on Joy of Baking and thought I would surprise him with it.

An idea for the wedding is to have your baker make your groom’s favorite desert and surprise him with it at the cake cutting. A delicious start to a sweet life together!

Another idea would be to print the groom’s surprise recipe desert and attach it to heart shaped measuring spoons like these from candles & such and send one home with each of your guests as wedding favors.

I sent John on a mission to find something sweet for dessert and he stumbled upon Kiss My Bundt Bakery which specializes in delicious, made-from-scratch bundt cakes and southern-inspired confections. What a treat!

He brought home a sample of three mini bundt cakes that just made me loose my mind. Not only can you choose the cake flavor, but you also get to choose your frosting À la minute.

What a wonderful dessert to serve at your bridal shower or wedding reception. On the menu is a champagne bundt cake that is made from real champagne. Pair that with straw-raspberry buttercream frosting and you have a dessert worthy of a toast.

If you are a bride on a budget, one idea for your reception could be a cookie table for dessert and a great way to get your family and friends personally involved is to ask them all to bring a dish of their favorite homemade cookies. I found this great Peanut Butter Chocolate Pillow cookie and recipe on Post Punk Kitchen. Do you have any family cookie recipes that you would like to share? Post your recipes in the comments section.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pillows
makes 2 dozen cookies

Chocolate dough:

1/2 cup canola oil

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

3 tablespoons non-dairy milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened dutch processed cocoa powder

2 tablespoons black unsweetened cocoa or more dutch processed unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:

3/4 cup natural salted peanut butter, crunchy or creamy style

2/3 cup confectioner’s sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons soy creamer or non-dairy milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl combine oil, sugar, maple syrup, non-dairy milk and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Sift in flour, cocoa powder, black cocoa if using, baking soda and salt. Mix to form a moist dough.

Make the filling. In another mixing bowl beat together peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, 2 tablespoons of soy creamer and vanilla extract to form a moist but firm dough. If peanut butter dough is too dry (as different natural peanut butters have different moisture content), stir in remaining tablespoon of non-dairy milk. If dough is too wet knead in a little extra powdered sugar.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line bakings sheet with parchment paper.

Shape the cookies. Create the centers of the cookies by rolling the peanut butter dough into 24 balls. Scoop a generous tablespoon of chocolate dough, flatten into a disc and place a peanut butter ball in the center. Fold the sides of the chocolate dough up and around the peanut butter center and roll the chocolate ball into an smooth ball between your palms. Place on a sheet of waxed paper and repeat with remaining doughs. If desired gently flatten cookies a little, but this is not necessary.

Place dough balls on lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart and bake for 10 minutes. Remove sheet from oven and let cookies for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to complete cooling. Store cookies in tightly covered container. If desired warm cookies in a microwave for 10 to 12 seconds before serving.

The one thing that I will always admit to is my love for cupcakes so when I discovered Cupcake Vineyards Chardonnay, I had to try it.

After one taste I was hooked. It is like treating yourself to layers of decadence. The other reason I thought I would share this fun find is to give you a non-traditional idea of using Cupcake Vineyards Wines for your dessert table at your wedding. Especially if you are opting for a cupcake tier rather then a wedding cake. It would make for a sweet pairing!