Create

Easy Marbled Easter Eggs

Posted on April 4, 2017

We have the secret to making bright, marbled Easter eggs. Can you guess what it is? The secret is NAIL POLISH! We made these marbled eggs by using water and a variety of nail polish. Can you believe it? It’s so simple and easy, and they look beautiful.

So grab that stash of nail polish you have in your bathroom and get marbling those eggs just in time for Easter! We have your supply checklist and an easy guide with directions below: 

Supplies: Faux eggs (or room temp hard boiled), disposable plastic container, nail polish, rubber gloves, stir stick, drying holder, nail polish remover, room temp water.

Image-1 (6)

IMG_6189

IMG_6222

Eats

Peanut Butter Bacon Pancakes

Posted on April 2, 2017
Peanut Butter Bacon Pancakes sweetlemonmade.com

I first fell in love with bacon pancakes when I was living in Dallas. Dallas has some amazing food, especially brunch, and one of my favorite spots, home to the most delicious bacon pancakes ever, was a place called “Breadwinners.”  Everytime we went there someone had to get the bacon pancakes and there may have been a time or two where we couldn’t decide so we ordered  them “for the table.”  Now, if you’re the kind of person that orders an extra entree for the table so that you can be sure to try all the awesomeness on the menu, we should be friends. If you’re confused by that concept then you should probably just skip to the recipe portion of this post because I’m about to go on and on about my deep love for complex flavors and that would probably just bore you. 😉

Back to the pancakes, so years later while perusing the website of one of my favorites, Joy the Baker, I found this recipe for PEANUT BUTTER and BACON pancakes. Hold the phone! Peanut butter and bacon are one of my favorite flavor combinations, and she put them together in a pancake and topped it with maple syrup??! Be still my soul. Heavenly. This is what I’m talking about–complex flavors! The savory saltiness of the bacon is enhanced by the creaminess of the peanut butter and then rounded out by the sweetness of the maple syrup. Oh, it’s amazing. Then I got even crazier and added some bananas. Because who doesn’t love bananas and peanut butter? The bananas added a freshness to the rich combination and really sealed the deal. You’ve gotta try these! They are pretty straightforward, don’t require crazy ingredients, and can be whipped up easily on a Sunday morning. So go get that bacon out of the fridge and get cooking!

peanut butter pancakes sweetlemonmade.com
Bacon Maple Syrup sweetlemonmade.com

Peanut Butter Bacon Pancakes
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. PANCAKES
  2. 1 large egg
  3. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  4. 2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter
  5. 1 cup buttermilk
  6. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  7. 1 cup all-purpose flour
  8. 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  9. 1 teaspoon baking powder
  10. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  11. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  12. 5 slices crisp bacon, cooled and cut into small pieces
  13. butter or oil for cooking pancakes
  14. BACON MAPLE SYRUP
  15. 5 pieces of bacon
  16. 1 cup real maple syrup
Instructions
  1. PANCAKES
  2. In a medium bowl beat together eggs, butter, peanut butter, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well until mostly smooth. Fold in bacon pieces and let batter set for a few minutes.
  3. Heat a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add a teaspoon of oil or butter to the pan, or spray with cooking spray.
  4. Pour 2 Tablespoons of batter onto the griddle. Cook on the first side until bubbles that form start to pop. You can also gently lift up the pancake to make sure the bottom is not overcooking, if it is the pan may be too hot and you will need to adjust the heat. Flip the pancake over with a spatula and cook until golden brown. Repeat until all the batter is gone. Let cooked pancakes rest on a heat proof plate in a 200 degree F oven until ready to serve.
  5. BACON MAPLE SYRUP
  6. Cook bacon until crisp.Drain on plate with paper towel. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings for syrup.
  7. Crumble or chop bacon to small pieces and place in small saucepan. Add maple syrup and bacon drippings.
  8. Bring to a quick boil and then simmer on low for 5-10 minutes so the bacon and maple flavors can meld together. Then you're ready to jazz up your pancakes.
  9. PEANUT BUTTER DRIZZLE
  10. melt 3-4 tablespoons of peanut butter in the microwave for 10 second increments until smooth and creamy.
  11. Drizzle on top of pancakes and bacon syrup.
  12. Lastly, if you're feeling crazy, slice a banana and place a few slice atop the pancake.
Notes
  1. Make a note for the buttermilk… “If you don’t have buttermilk you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for a few minutes and then add to the mix in place of buttermilk.
Sweet Lemon Made http://sweetlemonmade.com/

Image-1 (4)

Image-1 (5)

Sweet Picks

Spring Sweet Picks

Posted on March 29, 2017

Bridget City Blooms Pillow on White: I have been in love with Caitlin Wilson’s pillows for a long time. I religiously follow her instagram and find myself “double tapping” her photos daily. Her design is simple and her patterns are a perfect balance of polished and whimsical. So when I was thinking about the perfect item for the Spring edition of “sweet picks” this fun, floral pillow popped into my head. It’s colors are bright and clean–without being too loud or over done. The pattern is a breezy floral print and the pillow itself is soft to lounge on. It makes a perfect edition to any couch or bed needing a Spring pick-me-up.

Now, these pillows aren’t cheap, but definitely worth the splurge for one or two (you can get Target or Home Goods pillows to fill in the rest). And if now isn’t the time for a pillow splurge, now you know where to look next time you’re in the market for the perfect accent pillow.
Image Source: Caitlin Wilson

Good Natured Soy Candle: The allure of Anthropologie gets me every time! I can never just walk past the store, I always have to go in and check out all of the amazing stuff they have even if it’s just to window shop. Which is hard to do because I usually want it all! This time I went in to window shop, but as I was browsing around I came across a giant display of cute tins of soy candles and had to smell them all! The one that caught my eye first was the Apricot and Basil one. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect this combo to smell like, but I was curious and oh my goodness! One sniff of this candle and I was in LOVE!! IT SMELLS SO GOOOOD!!

You need to make a trip into your local Anthro and smell it! Trust me, your nose will be in heaven! After smelling the others I kept coming back to this one because it smelt so delicious and sweet. I knew I probably wasn’t leaving the store without purchasing this candle. I held onto it as I browsed the rest of the store and as I was looking around, I kept catching myself opening up the candle just to smell it! You know it’s that good when you are walking around the store looking like an addict getting their fix whiffing the candle.
Image Source: Anthropologie

Artificial Plant in Stand Large – Threshold: I’ll admit it, I have a black thumb when it comes to house plants. I even somehow lack the ability to keep catus and succulents alive.  That’s why I have no shame when it comes to decorating my house with artificial plants. And you know what, I’m always in luck because my favorite go-to store (Target of course) always has really beautiful artifical plants that you would never guess aren’t real. This plant is my recent purchase and I love it. It’s very pretty, modern and fits in nicely with the rest of my decor. So if you’re like me and are lacking that green thumb, check out this plant and the others available at Target.
Image Source: Target

Eats

Grasshopper Mint Cookies

Posted on March 27, 2017
Grasshopper Mint Cookies sweetlemonmade.com

These grasshopper mint cookies are chocolatey, minty, soft and chewy, and taste just like a Girl Scout thin mint. Have I caught your attention yet?!? I hear thin mint and I’m sold! ? And the other great thing about these cookies are that they are cake cookies which means they are super soft.

It’s Girl Scout season now but, once it ends and you get a craving for those thin mints, you won’t have to wait until the next year! Just whip up a batch of these in the meantime to satisfy your craving.

The one thing that is a bit tedious with this recipe is having to unwrap each mint. If they sold them in bulk without wrappers. It would make things so much easier but it’s worth it for the flavor it adds to the cookies and the presentation. I’m all about presentation!

Thin Mints sweetlemonmade.com

Be sure to pin this recipe to your Pinterest board to have on hand. Your family, friends, and coworkers will love you if you make them a batch when they are craving or can’t get their hands on some Girl Scout cookies!

Grasshopper Mint Cookies
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. COOKIES
  2. 1 box Devil's Food Cake
  3. 2 eggs
  4. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  6. 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  7. FROSTING
  8. 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  9. 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
  10. 2-3 cups powdered sugar
  11. green food dye
  12. Milk, if needed
  13. CHOCOLATE GLAZE
  14. 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
  15. 4 tablespoons butter
  16. Andes Mints, roughly chopped for garnish
Instructions
  1. Chill dough for 30 minutes (I prefer to but not a must).
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Melt butter and let cool so that you don't cook your eggs when mixing together.
  4. Combine cake mix, eggs, cooled melted butter, vanilla and sugar. *Note: the batter will be stiff, so don't be worried.
  5. Make dough balls a little larger than a tablespoon and place on cookie sheets to bake.
  6. Bake for 8-9 minutes and let cool on cooling racks.
  7. While the cookies are baking, unwrap Andes mints and roughly chop them.
  8. TO MAKE THE MINT FROSTING: Beat butter for 2 minutes. Add peppermint extract and slowly add in the powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. Add 1-2 tablespoons milk if it gets too thick. Add green dye for color (I used about 8-9 drops).
  9. FOR THE CHOCOLATE GLAZE: Melt chocolate chips and butter together in a microwave proof bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds, then stir, then microwave in 10 second increments and stir until smooth.
  10. Pipe on frosting, flatten frosting and make a slight indent in the middle with a knife or off set spatula if needed for the chocolate glaze, spoon on your glaze, and top with Andes mints.
Sweet Lemon Made http://sweetlemonmade.com/
Grasshopper Cookies sweetlemonmade.com

Eats

Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Mini Bundt Cakes

Posted on March 6, 2017
Lemon Bundt Cakes sweetlemonmade.com

These glazed lemon poppy seed mini bundt cakes are not only cute, they are moist and packed full of tangy lemon flavor. The cakes are topped with a generous drizzle of lemon syrup and lemon glaze, adding more moisture and lemon flavor.

Lemon Bundt Cake Ingredients sweetlemonmade.com

I was inspired to make these mini lemon poppy seed bundt cakes to celebrate our one-year blogiversary! And by the way, where has the time gone?!? I can’t believe we’ve been doing this for a whole year! It’s been an adventure! To celebrate this momentous milestone, I knew I wanted to make something lemon-y to celebrate with all of my supportive friends, family and coworkers! Lemon was only fitting to go with our blog name and the fact that I’m itching for warmer weather. 

IMG_9878

You may find it weird to add yogurt into the recipe but, it adds a little more tang to the flavor of the cake and it also replaces the oil you would normally use in a cake recipe. Tip: I used Tillamook vanilla yogurt but, if you normally eat plain yogurt and have that on hand you can use that in substitution.

IMG_9879

After playing around with differ amounts of lemon flavor, the amount in this recipe seems to be the perfect amount according to my helpful and trusty taste testers (aka my friends and family). I personally really love lemon-y lemon poppy seed cake too. And I knew these were a hit when a few of my friends ended up eating all of the cakes they were suppose to share with their family or on the other hand when a few of my other friends wanted to share these delicious cakes with their own friends! These cakes taste even better once they’ve had time to sit and the lemon syrup and lemon glaze have had a chance to soak into the cake.

IMG_9880

Your friends and family will love you if you make these delicious cakes for them!

Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Mini Bundt Cakes
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. CAKE
  2. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  3. 2 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  4. 4 eggs
  5. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  6. 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  7. 1/4 cup lemon zest, packed
  8. 4 cups cake flour
  9. 2 teaspoons baking soda
  10. 1 teaspoon salt
  11. 1 cup vanilla yogurt (I used Tillamook brand)
  12. 1 cup buttermilk
  13. 4 teaspoons poppy seeds
  14. LEMON SYRUP
  15. 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  16. 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  17. GLAZE
  18. 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  19. 4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
  20. 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
  21. 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare mini bundt cake pan with nonstick spray and flour.
  2. Using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes or until smooth and fully incorporated.
  3. Add in vanilla, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest until incorporated.
  4. Add in flour, baking soda, salt, yogurt, buttermilk, and poppy seeds. Mix on low for 1 minute and then on medium for 2 minutes or until well blended.
  5. Fill each cavity 2/3 full and bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.
  6. Let cakes cool in pan for 10 minutes.
  7. Invert pan onto cooling rack and let cool for 15 minutes.
  8. While cakes are cooling, prepare lemon syrup by combining sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Once dissolved, remove from heat and let cool.
  9. While waiting for lemon syrup to cool, prepare glaze by combining sifted powdered sugar, lemon juice, poppy seeds, and lemon zest in a medium sized bowl.
  10. Once cakes and lemon syrup have cooled, place cakes on a baking sheet and drizzle each cake with lemon syrup and then a generous drizzle of glaze over the top.
  11. And ENJOY!
Sweet Lemon Made http://sweetlemonmade.com/
IMG_9871