First Airbrush Cake.....

My sweet friends gave me money towards purchasing an airbrush kit for cakes.....   I have played a little bit, but this was my first chance to use it on a cake!!!!  I have purchased quite a few colors to play with, but found myself without gold, which was a MUST for Ty's birthday cake.  After researching I discovered that I could use my dusting powder mixed with vodka and make my own paint!  It was quite entertaining to explain to my 12 year old why I had a bottle of vodka, but it is a simple base that evaporates quickly to leave the shimmer powder.

Pretzel Bites

Found this recipe and tried it out for New Years.... a new family favorite!

Easy homemade pretzel bites

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 packet active yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 11/2 tsp salt
• 1 TB sugar
• 4 cups of flour
• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 1 egg (whisked)
• Coarse salt (kosher or sea salt)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Line a baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a small bowl add warm water and yeast. Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes. Add salt and sugar and stir.
3. In a large bowl add flour and then pour yeast mixture over top. Knead with bread hook in your mixer or by hand for approximately 5 minutes.
4. Separate dough into 6-8 sections. Roll dough into ropes about 15-20 inches long and 1 inch thick. Cut with scissors into 11/2 - 2 inch pieces. Then cut a "t" or "x" on the top of the pretzel with scissors.
5. In a large pan bring 3 quarts of water + 3/4 cup baking soda to a boil. Once water is boiling place about 8 pieces of dough into the water for about 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and place pretzel bites onto baking sheet. Brush dough lightly with egg and sprinkle salt on top.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes. You can turn the oven to broil for the last minute to brown the tops. Remove pretzel bites to a cooling rack and brush tops with melted butter. Enjoy with cheese sauce.

The"manly tree"

MCA Christmas tree...

Fun with white elephant