Hello Gorgeous! (Cheddar Scallion Biscuits)

I am pretty sure this point will be argued by every person out there, but I have the best mom in the world. Waking up for school in the morning, I would come downstairs to my mom hand chopping chocolate to add to my pancakes before school. Knife in hand, using all her might, chopping bars of chocolate to make delicious chocolate chip pancakes. Sounds pretty intense right? Well...it was not until we figured out that those chocolate chips that we had used for so many years in our cookies could ALSO be used for pancakes that the tradition ended. Gotta love moms.

I assume if I had I grown up in the south, it would be hand shredded cheddar that this story would be about (and yes that means I am assuming my mom would be making me home-made biscuits every morning). 

2 plus cups 1 tbsp all-purpose flour

1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 sticks cold unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 eggs
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 scallions sliced thinly
1 tbsp water

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, add 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Turn mixer to low and and mix to incorporate ingredients. Add butter and mix until butter is pea sized.

2. Add 1 egg to buttermilk and whisk lightly. With mixer on low, add buttermilk and egg mixture to flour. Mix until just moist. In a small bowl toss cheddar and scallions with remaining 1 tbsp flour. Add cheddar and scallions to dough and mix until just combined

3. Place dough on floured surface and knead gently 8 times. Pat dough out into a 6 inch rectangle and cut into 8 even squares. Add biscuits to sheet pan lined with parchment paper. In a small bowl whisk remaining egg with water and brush on top of biscuits. Top with salt or extra cheddar if desired.

4. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 20 to 22 min.

Sushi Cupcakes

I was recently approached (most likely due to my obsession with cupcakes) to create mini sushi themed cupcakes for my cousins sushi themed bridal shower. I immediately started searching for fun options and ideas to create these cute confections. I decided to take the yummy candy route as apposed to a more realistic sushi made from only fondant. I used a home made cake batter as well as frosting but this can easily be done with cake mixes and canned frosting.

For the Sashimi option I used a chocolate cake in a black wrapper. I topped each cupcake with about a tablespoon of vanilla frosting. I dipped the cupcake into white sprinkles to resemble the rice. Each cake was then topped with a Swedish fish and covered with a 2 inch strip of black fondant.

For the sushi roll option I used a vanilla cupcake with a white wrapper. I topped each cupcake the same as above and again dipped it in white sprinkles. Next, Cut small pieces off of gummy worms and apply in a square pattern to the cupcake (use 4 different colors). They are not only tasty but are sure to be a huge hit.