Author: Renee Shelton

Bonfire Toffee or Treacle Toffee

Bonfire Toffee or Treacle Toffee

This is on my list of ‘to do someday’ – Bonfire Toffee. It goes by other names, such as Tom Trot, Plot toffee, treacle toffee, and claggum. It is made and enjoyed on Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, in the UK, but I’m sure is quite lovely any 

Basic Conversions to Metric Measurements

Basic Conversions to Metric Measurements

Metric Conversions From centimeters to liters, here are basic equations to help you convert to Metric: Centimeter: Inch to centimeter in x 2.5 to get approx. equiv. cm Gram: Ounce to gram oz. x 28.35 to get approx. gm Kilogram: Pound to kilogram lb. x 

National Peaches and Cream Day June 21st

National Peaches and Cream Day June 21st

In honor of National Peaches and Cream Day, here is a recipe for Peach Cream Pie. Sour Cream Peach Pie Recipe by Renee Shelton Adjust the spice mixture to suit your own tastes. Yield: 1 9-inch pie Ingredients 1 1/4 cups plain graham cracker crumbs 

3-D Confectionery Printers: The Sugar Lab, Choc Edge, and 3-D Open Source Machines

3-D Confectionery Printers: The Sugar Lab, Choc Edge, and 3-D Open Source Machines

My husband wants a 3-D printer, so I’ve been scouting the Internet to learn all about it. These machines are amazing, not that we’ll get one tomorrow or anything. A 3-D printer essentially prints out in three dimensional form of whatever you tell it to print. I’ve 

Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Truffles

I’m in the mood for chocolate truffles now. Coated in chopped pistachios would be nice, thanks. Sash and Satin – DIY Chocolate Truffles from Sash and Satin on Vimeo.

Upcoming Event: Charity ‘Icing on the Cake’ Competition

Upcoming Event: Charity ‘Icing on the Cake’ Competition

I love watching cake competitions, and when one supports a local charity, it is all that much fun to watch. This year’s Icing on the Cake Competition theme is ‘greeting cards.’ This is a charity-based competion supporting Quota International of Shreveport. All levels are encouraged to participate 

Get Started: Baking

Get Started: Baking

There are quite a few beginning baking books new but the Get Started series by Doring Kindersly takes the approach of starting small and ending big. Get Started: Baking begins with this note: Build Your Course: This book is divided into broad sections that allow 

Quickie Guide to Ombre Piping

Quickie Guide to Ombre Piping

I’m sharing this article from Modern Baking magazine I read this morning. Bob Brougham from The Cakery in North Aurora, Ill., shares his tips for piping ombre designs on cakes. Simple techniques but ones that will help pull off successful shading from dark to light. 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

I wish peanut butter cookies weren’t so addictive. They aren’t my favorite cookie, and if they are on a cookie platter, I might pass them up for something else (like a chocolate chip or any macaron). Having said that, peanut butter cookies have that flavor 

April Pastry Sampler Newsletter

April Pastry Sampler Newsletter

  April’s email newsletter went out. Tips on organizing your pastry space. Pastry Sampler April Newsletter http://bit.ly/april-ps

Orange Glass Tuiles – Super Versatile Thin, Transparent Cookies

Orange Glass Tuiles – Super Versatile Thin, Transparent Cookies

Here’s a super easy recipe for glass tuiles. Glass tuiles are transparent, crisp, thin cookies and while they can be eaten alone, are typically used as a garnish for other desserts. The picture at the right is not the greatest for showing off these cookies, 

Sugar Baby by Gesine Bullock-Prado

Sugar Baby by Gesine Bullock-Prado

Sugar Baby is a comprehensive cookbook revolving around sugar. It all starts in the beginning with the first chapter ‘A Brief History of the World (As It Pertains to Sugar)’, and explores the world of sugar from there. It is written by Gesine Bullock-Prado and if 

Chloe’s Vegan Desserts by Chloe Coscarelli

Chloe’s Vegan Desserts by Chloe Coscarelli

Chloe’s Vegan Desserts is a different kind of vegan baking cookbook. Her finished products resemble non-vegan textures by using baking science rather than relying on simply substituting ingredients. Coscarelli is the author of Chloe’s Kitchen and was the first vegan winner of Cupcake Wars. The 

Icing on the Cake by Julet Stallwood

Icing on the Cake by Julet Stallwood

Juliet Stallwood’s hobby making novelty cakes for her kids turned into a career in pastry and cake decorating. She went from creating fun themed cakes to cookies and ‘fondant fancies’. Stallwood’s website Cake and Biscuits and her book have the same feel, only the book 

Auction: Online Bidding for New Electro Freeze Machines

Auction: Online Bidding for New Electro Freeze Machines

This auction is online only and is listing 7 different Electro Freeze machines and two Bunn coffee brewers with airpot. MSRP for freeze machines range from $1,420 to $13,710. Preview: Appt only, call to schedule; Virginia Commercial Services: 703 Howmet Dr. Suite H, Hampton, VA 

How to Torch a Crème Brûlée for a Caramelized Crust – Snapguide

How to Torch a Crème Brûlée for a Caramelized Crust – Snapguide

Quick Snapguide on torching a crème brûlée dessert with a hand-held blow torch for an even, caramelized crust. Check out How to Torch a Crème Brûlée for a Caramelized Crust by Renee Shelton on Snapguide.