From Child: Monkey Mind Design

For Your Baby’s Daddy: Julie Ann Art

For Your Daddy: Duv Designs

1st Father’s Day: byMMcC

Happy Card Hunting SaucyPants!

These are made with whole wheat flour, so they are healthier than your average bar. To kick it up on the healthy scale, you can try substituting the butter for Greek yogurt.  

Happy Date Bars SaucyPants!

Whole Wheat Date Bars

makes 24
30 mins 
375° Oven

w/ lemon zest crust.

• 2 1/4 cups pitted dates (about 11 ounces)
• 3/4 cup apple cider
• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for parchment
• 1/4 cup wheat bran
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 2/3 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup smooth unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Make Filling:
In a small to medium saucepan, bring dates and cider to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 10 minutes or until dates are soft and almost all of the liquid has reduced. Puree in a food processor. If you don’t have one a hand mixer works well.

Make Dough:
Whisk together flours, bran, baking soda, salt in a medium bowl. Put sugar and zest in the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment. Mix together. Add butter. Add egg. Add in flour in 3 batches, alternating with 2 batches of applesauce. Divide dough in half, shape each half into a rectangle, and cover with plastic wrap. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll out each piece of dough into a 9 1/2 x 13 inch rectangle. Trim dough into 9 x 11 inch rectangles. Transfer one rectangle to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. 

Cut rectangles in half lengthwise. Spread a cup of date filling down half of each length leaving a 1/4 inch border. Put a rectangle piece on top. Pinch all borders to seal. Repeat until all rectangles are used.

Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into 1 1/2 inch bars.

You can try to substitute the butter for Greek yogurt to make these healthier!

Recipe Adapted from Martha Stewart.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! I just got back from Dana Point, CA! My did I not want to come home! It was gorgeous there! So, as you might guess, I have a serious case of “The Mondays” today. To help ease “The Mondays,” here is a tutorial on how to do a Crêpe Bar at your next brunch affair. Nothing like crêpes to make you feel a little better about starting the work week! I was always scared of them, but crêpes are surprisingly easy to make. So check it …

1. Make your crêpes (recipe below).

2. Serve toppings on a long plate if you can. This makes it easier for your guests to see what you’ve got. If you don’t have a plate long enough, place two side by side. I prefer displaying toppings right on the plate because I think the presentation is prettier, but some toppings require bowls. In this case, clear bowls are best, so your guests again, can see what you’ve got.   

3. Make sure to label your toppings with food tent cards. Click here for the ones shown!

4. Serve small crêpes. These are easier for your guests to eat and top. They can hold them like tacos and eat while walking around!

And there you have it: A Crêpe Bar! Happy Brunching SaucyPants!

I can’t wait to share these with you! I think this is surely my new favorite baked good! I made these for our Modern Mother’s Day Brunch! They are to die for. They have the perfect texture! Scrumptiously soft inside with yummy cinnamon + sugar on the outside! Come to find out my mom used to make these for my dad all of the time, and they were his favorite. I never knew, and here I am making them decades later never knowing. I think nature wins the argument this time!

These are shown with whipped cream, but I don’t think you need it! These are delicious enough without it. I did it because let’s face it … whipped cream just makes everything look prettier!

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

makes 12
45 mins 
350° Oven

Heavenly delicious! Enough said.

• Muffins:
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

• Coating:
• 10-12 Tbsp butter (1 stick plus 2-4 Tablespoons more)
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, mix together the butter and sugar. Add in the egg and mix. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.

Alternate adding the dry mix and milk to the butter mix and mix well.

Scoop out batter into a greased and floured muffin pan. Only fill the cups 3/4 full.

Cook for about 22 minutes at 350 degrees F or until a stick or fork is inserted and comes out clean and tops are lightly browned. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.

Dip the muffins in melted butter and roll in a cinnamon sugar mixture.

Adapted from This Heart of Mine

Feeling very honored today because our Modern Mother’s Day Brunch was featured on Hostess with the Mostess, one of the biggest and best party inspiration blogs in the country! Check out the feature here. Below are some teaser pics. Also stay tuned to the blog as we will be posting the recipes you see in the post today and all weekend long! Happy Mother’s Day Weekend SaucyPants!

As I am writing to you all, I can hear the sound of the ocean waves! OMG I feel so lucky to be on a pseudo vaca on the beach! Another reason I feel lucky right now is because I have an amazing mother to spend Mother’s Day with. I usually don’t get too personal on the blog, but since mother’s day is coming up, I have to share a story about my wonderful mother. My mother is a survivor. I owe my life to my mother … in more ways than one. My mom had cervical cancer when she was pregnant with me. All of the doctors told her to abort me, or they said my mother would never make it. She chose not to abort me, and the doctors gave her a choice before she went into surgery … it’s either the baby’s life or your life. She chose my life. Luckily we both survived! Several years ago, my mom also survived a small plane crash in which she was the only survivor. So, now you know why I feel so lucky to be able to spend Mother’s Day with my mother. This Modern Mother’s Day Brunch was inspired by my mother. She is very modern, fashionable, and spirited. I wanted the look to mimic that!

I am so inspired by all of the  pink and orange color palettes you see right now! I think they make an amazing duo! I am also inspired by all of the different kinds of “bars” aka “make-your-own stations” you can set up for a party (e.g. cookie, martini, cupcake, etc). They are such a fun way to make the guests feel like they are a part of the meal! You will find a couple of different kinds of “bars” in these photos. In the meantime, here’s the skinny on the entire look:

Table Setting: 

The tablecloth, plates, napkins, and small glasses (aka votives) are from Target. The wine goblets are from the dollar store … holla!! I set everything symmetrical with clean lines to uphold the modern motif. The gift bags and gift boxes are also from Target. P.S. You will find gift tags in the {Modern Girl} Party Printable Collection for sale in the SaucyShop!

Menu:

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins OMG you are going to die when you make these … they are heaven in your mouth … {RECIPE ALERT} Stay tuned to the next posts where I will share the recipe.

Donut Pops Because it’s morning of course, and everyone deserves a little splurging on Mother’s Day … even if you’re not a mother! Not sure why this holds true … it pretty much doesn’t. I just made it up, but it sounds good doesn’t it?! If you don’t feel like making these, you can just buy your donut hole package of choice at your local grocer, stick a stick in them, tie a cute ribbon around the sticks, and voila … you’ve got yourself some donut pops!

Yogurt Bar To offset the unhealthiness of the first two menu items.  Pick your toppings. Here we did granola, raspberries, and strawberries … yum!

Crepe Bar {RECIPE ALERT} I’ll share the crepe recipe with you in the next posts, so check back right here! Our toppings of choice for this: strawberries, raspberries, and whipped cream of course!

Mimosa Bar Here is the fun part! Use whatever juices and “sprinkles” you want. Here we did raspberry juice, orange juice, and strawberry lemonade. For toppings … strawberries, raspberries, mint, and orange zest.

* Note on the “Bars:” I like to set the “bars” up on a long platter, and it is best when toppers are lined up neatly and labeled.

Backdrop:

Fabric is from JoAnn’s … Isn’t it cute!?! The bunting is part of our {Modern Girl} Party Printable Collection.

Printables:

The entire printable collection is available to you in the SaucyShop!  The {Modern Girl} Collection includes a boatload of fillable party printables. Since these are FILLABLE, you can use these for whatever occasion, not just Mother’s Day. All text that is mom-related will not appear on your files. You can fill in any text you want! The Collection includes (hopefully, I’m not forgetting anything because there is so much!):

• bunting
• cupcake/muffin topppers aka party squares aka hang tags
• tent cards
• hang tags
• gift tags
• straw disks
• mason jar toppers
• seat cards
• greeting card
• cupcake wrappers

I have to give my sister, Coreen Murphy, a shout out here. The setting is in her fabulous new condo! Happy Almost Mother’s Day SaucyPants!

It makes me so excited to start blogging in the morning when I know I get to make the day of a lucky old or new SaucyPants fan! I am thrilled to announce that Kristin D. has won the giveaway for this Monogram Wreath from Embellished Living. Kristin please email us at kitchen {at} saucypants {dot} com and Embellished Living at embellishedliving {at} gmail {dot} com to claim your cute prize (it can be the same email)! We thank you all so much for entering! If you didn’t win this time, please check back. We are always doing giveaways for saucy products! Speaking of great products, are you not absolutely smitten by the wreaths from Embellished Living?!?!  Etsy offices even bought one for themselves … that’s how great these ladies are! Here are a few more pics of their fab wreaths…

I’m going to get one for my wedding and then hang it on our door when the special day has come and gone! I can’t wait. Our house is going to look the coolest on the block!

Winners were chosen by random.org. Each entry was assigned a number. Numbers were 1-33. Number 17 was the random number generated.

Happy Giveaway SaucyPants!

I love watching the Kentucky Derby! Although, as you would expect, I’m not interested in the race … I’m interested in the fashion! I love seeing the hats and outfits! I love the preppy sophisticated look! 

This pound cake was absolutely inspired by the Kentucky Derby … if you couldn’t guess! It is of course a take on the mint julep. But I have a confession, I have never had a mint julep. I have a feeling I would like it though. I love mint, and I can stand a little Bourbon.

This cake is delicious. The Bourbon Butter Sauce pairs perfectly with the White Chocolate Mint Frosting. And let me tell you it will make your house smell divine. It still smells like pound cake up in here. I love stepping into my house right now!

I recommend serving slices with a bit of fresh mint … makes it so festive! Maybe print out these great Kentucky Derby Party Printables from Mirabelle Creations! And grab some inspiration from her party!

Happy Kentucky Derby SaucyPants!

Mint Julep Pound Cake

makes 16
1 hrs 30 mins 
350° Oven

With Bourbon Butter Sauce and White Chocolate Mint Frosting

• Cake:
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, plus more for pan
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 3 cups sugar
• 5 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Bourbon Butter Sauce:
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/3 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons Bourbon whiskey

• White Chocolate Mint Frosting:
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) white chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
• 1 teaspoon white creme de menthe liqueur or 1/2 tsp mint extract (see Note)

With a mixer, cream butter and shortening together. Add sugar, a little at a time. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl and add to mixer alternately with milk, starting with the flour and ending with the flour. Mix in vanilla. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Just before the cake is done, prepare the Bourbon Butter Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, 1/3 cup butter, and 3 tablespoons water. Stir until melted and combined. Do not boil. Remove from heat, continuing to stir for 2 minutes. Then stir in Bourbon. 

When cake is done and still warm from the oven, use a skewer to poke holes around the top of the cake. Pour Bourbon butter sauce evenly over the top of the cake. Let cake cool to room temperature in the pan before removing. 

Mint Frosting:
Melt chocolate chips in heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until chips are melted. Then stir in sweetened condensed milk. Remove from heat and stir in creme de menthe liqueur (or mint extract). Let cool for 10 minutes, then spread evenly over the cooled cake. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Chill to set chocolate ganache. Take cake out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cutting to serve. 

Recipe Inspired from Paula Deen’s Pound Cake on Food Network
and this Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Cake

Have I ever told you how much I love potato chips?! Well, really I love anything potatoes, but mostly the fried kind … fries, tater tots, hash browns, fried potatoes. If I had one meal left, I would definitely have some sort of potatoes. It would be hard for me to choose between all of these though. Maybe I could have a sampler of all of these? That would definitely be my heaven. Today we are talking about potato chips and dip. This dip is super easy and perfect for your party weekend. It only has three ingredients.

If you want to spice this up a bit, some other things that would be great to add are chives or garlic powder.  

Happy Almost Cindo de Derby weekend!

This is seriously the Best Guacamole Ever! I like my guacamole simple and chunky, and I hope you do too. This is a must-have for a Cinco De Mayo celebration or I guess a Cindo de Derby celebration this year. To store leftovers, rub top of guacamole with lime, press a piece of plastic wrap against the top of the guacamole, and store in an airtight container.