Mini Desserts & Sugar Cookies
I am so excited to share photos with you from some of my last events. This last week was my busiest yet for my business and by the end I was physically aching, but it was all worth it. I also celebrated my 25th birthday this last Monday and am so excited that one of my birthday presents is going to be a trip to Florida to the Notter School of Pastry Arts where I will be lucky enough to take a three day cake decorating class from Colette Peters!!! Colette is simple AMAZING and I can’t wait to watch her in action and learn some tricks of the trade. So get ready for some fun posts in October as I document my class. I have also never been to Florida, so if any of you have any “must eats” let me know!
Well enough about that, lets get onto the desserts! So this last week I had an order for 1,000 mini desserts for my church’s leadership & launch party. The fun part about this menu is they left the choices up to me, so I got to try a couple new dessert ideas and play around with fun presentation ideas. Overall the party went really great, but as I said earlier…I was so happy when it was all over. Here are some photos of the goodies!
My Grandma’s famous caramelized party mix (not the savory kind). This stuff is beyond addicting…don’t doubt it’s deliciousness! I thought it would be fun to put them in paper cones, so I had my husband build me a custom paper cone holder that turned out just perfect!
Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting!
Chocolate cups filled with Chocolate Mousse and topped with Valrhona Crunchy Chocolate Pearls.
A view of one of the tables. My brother-in-law made me this stand! It is perfect because each part comes off…there is a total of 6 tiers, so it is nice that I can customize it to any party size. Thanks Wes!
Mini Monster Cookies…peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chunks, M&M’s, and lots of sugar!
Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Pies with Oreo Crust and Chocolate Ganache Swirl.
Mini Keylime Pies! Love the meringue tops!
Of course I couldn’t pass up a chance to use Bakerella’s adorable idea of cake pops. I did three different kinds…Red Velvet, Buttermilk Banana, and Chocolate. These are so tasty, so if you haven’t tried them out I recommend you do!
And finally a last view of one of the tables.
Besides that order I had another 500 cookie order, but this time it was for USC…of course it had to be due on the same day! Anyways, they were throwing a huge volunteer recognition party and needed some sweet treats for their guests. These cookies were again made with edible frosting sheets like my last order. You can click here to see the whole process of the last order.
Thanks for taking the time to check out my photos! I do love being able to share them with you!
Oh my goodness, I’m exhausted just looking at the photos! Good job!
Do you use a commercial kitchen space or bake from home? You’d need soooo much countertop space!
Also, how do you transport all those mini desserts and have them stay in one piece?
Rachel - I rent a commercial kitchen in LA…no my little apartment could never handle these orders! As for transportation, I take most of them half finished with me and do the final piping on the seen. However some have to be done completely before travel which always makes for a stressful car ride.
you’re amazing. everything you make looks just perfect and so delicious! someday i will be able to bake for a living…it must be so wonderful to get paid for what you love to do!
You, my dear, are sophisticated way beyond your years! I so wish I had pursued culinary arts when I was your age! And Colette Peters….wow, you are one lucky lady. Happy Birthday, and thanks for the pics.
This post is simply amazing. Wow! Happy Birthday! Since you’ll be in Orlando, I would recommend Norman’s at the Ritz Carlton. Brunch at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. The desserts are made by chef steven rujak… so good. What else? If you like Cuban food, check out Tampa. That’s all I can think of.
You are awesome. love all of it!
Amazing work
okay, everything is gorgeous, but…collette peters! holy shit!
Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to youuuuu! Happy birthday dear Melody! Happy birthday to you! As my children would say cha-cha-cha!
Your mini desserts came out beautifully! I make more than a dozen of anything and I’m stressing…wait it doesn’t matter what I make or how much I still stress if it’s for someone other than my chidlren.
Yea, you’re coming to my neck of the woods er, country! It’s really nice here in Central Florida. No earthquakes just hurricanes once in a while.
Hopefully you’ll love it and want to teach out here! One can hope!
I’m looking forward to all you’ll teach us and blog about from your class. Hope you have a safe and fabulous trip!
~ingrid
Wow Melody - You are AMAZING!!
Happy Birthday, hope you had a great one!! September is such a great month for birthdays - cause mine is this weekend!! Yay!!
Can I move to LA and work for you? It would be such a dream job!!
You are blessed with incredible talent!! Just beautiful!
Simply incredible!
Please, post techniques so we can alllearn!
This is such an amazing spread. I love all your flavors. They are so elegant!
Beautiful work again!!! The site of all those cookies individually wrapped is incredible. I hope you had plenty of help. All the desserts are beautiful, great work!
OH, please, please, please share the recipe for the chocolate pb oreo things. YUM!
Wow! This just looks like heaven! All of the mini’s are just beautiful!!!!
That’s just jaw-dropping amazing. I in particular want that chocolate cup filled with mousse and a cake pop…and a cone full of caramel mix…and that key lime tart! Everything’s so beautiful!
Happy Birthday to You! What a great birthday gift and I can’t wait to hear about the pastry school when you get back. Love your desserts and the chex mix in the cones is too clever.
Everything looks fantastic! Great job!
Happy Belated Birthday! Those pictures make me both tired and hungry. They look so beautiful! Looks like a lot of work…nicely done!
I just found your blog and about went over backwards in my chair looking at those GLORIOUS mini desserts! WOW!!! I’d love to try each and every one! You’re amazing…..
I also love that tiered stand that your brother in law made-how cool is that??? What a perfect way to display everything. I would imagine those goodies were gone in a flash.
Your cookies are over the top too-all that wrapping and tying bows AFTER making the cookies….yikes!
Happy Birthday-you deserve a vacation to a spa!!!!
Carol
Girl you are AMAZING!!! And that is an understatement!! Your photos are so great and the sweets are gorgeous! Happy Birthday too! Enjoy your time in Florida. Sounds like the perfect present.
Are you willing to share your grandma’s snack recipe? I have been looking for a fun treat to make for football games, it looks awesome!! Thanks!
Everything is so wonderful I would not know which one to eat first, Melody!
congratulations on such a beautiful work.
Great job, once again!! Wow!
You are coming to my town, girl! How exciting! I will send you an email with some really fantastic eats!! I hope you enjoy your trip AND your time with the amazing Colette!! Wish I could join you for that!!
Happy Birthday, Chica!!
Wow. Amazing. Everything looks so good I can’t even pick a favorite! I also love the tiered stand–it holds so many pieces and looks really sturdy.
Happy late birthday! What a great birthday present. And I love the mini desserts!
Amazing Melody!!
“Happy Birthday” :).. What a fun present, can’t wait to see what you learn!!
All your cakes and desserts look fabulous!
Ok really, those mini chocolate peanut butter pies…I must have. Happy Bday! Mine was a month ago so I think you should bake me some pie now!
Please tell me you have a group of about 100 people helping you- all of that food is just amazing!!
everything is so cute and mini! love the key lime pies especially.
happy belated birthday, and INCREDIBLE work! the time and effort involved in creating 1000 mini desserts is unfathomable to me. you (and each and every one of your little bites of perfection) are astounding.
Happy belated birthday sweetie
You are one very talented lady all your treats look amazing!!
Rosie x
Yum yum yum! I’m tired just looking at all you had to do… and I’m hungry looking at it too
Happy birthday!
http://amyatlas.com/index.php/main/portfolio.. this made me think of your dessert table!
love it!
This is all just awesome! I’m planning on doing a table like this for a friend’s upcoming bridal shower & this was great inspiration.
My favorite part? “so I had my husband build me a custom paper cone holder that turned out just perfect!” That’s AWESOME!! I have a handy husband too. Tell your DH he has a fan of his own.
Happy Birthday & bring your sunscreen & flip flops to FL! You should totally make time for Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. For a little bit of a higher end casual dinner, I love Moon Fish. http://www.talkofthetownrestaurants.com/tott_home.html Enjoy!
Thanks for leaving a sweet comment. I love looking at all of your amazing creations. The desserts are killer! They look super yummy!
For Orlando, if you like Mexican food, try PRs in Winter Park - it is really really good.
Your work is spectacular! If you ever have any time and would like to talk food, I would love that - I’m in Santa Monica.
You are such an inspiration. Im celebrating my birthday today and all i want is to learn as much as possible about cakes and desserts. Did you know that lethemeatcake in Costa Mesa is having some workshop next wk. Check it out you might be interested. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Thao (oc)
I am so impressed with your mini sweets - the spread was amazing! Hats off to you for following your dream - your work is inspiring and really makes me want to go to culinary school! Thanks for sharing this.
Mel, Again you have out done yourself. One day you will be famous. I think you are on your way
Love you and Happy Birthday
Lori
Everything looks terrific, as usual! I love the meringue tops and the cake pops. That tiered stand is PERFECT… I’d love one of those!
Melody,
You are a dessert-making machine - and a pastry goddess!
I am duly impressed. I think it would take me weeks to make that much food. And forget about presentation. They all look so yummy too. Great job!
I think you should try out for Food Network’s Next Chef…you would be so great! your stuff always looks amazing and your passion is evident!
Every creation is simply fabulous! Enjoy your cake class. I’m so excited for you!
Happy Birthday and as always amazing work!! Congratulations on how it turned out - loving the look of the mini key lime pies. It must take you ages just to bag up all those cookies
OMG how great do those desserts look. Do you have the recipes for a few of the desserts?.. I’m asking because of my favorite (mini Key Lime Pies) YUMMY.
wow how many nice treats you ve got here. You were quite busy ehh
Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes.
My head is spinning!
If I was there, I would have ran around and started stuffing things into my mouth. That chex mix sounds good. Is it a secret recipe?
WOW, Wow, wow!!!!!! What an amazing spread! You did an unbelievable job, the guests must have been blown away. I would love to make that chex mix.
Oh my.. Everything looks so beautiful.
I have to make mini desserts for 800 this weekend. This is an awesome display and totally inspiring!
Thanks SO MUCH everyone for you comments! I really appreciated your birthday wishes, travel advice, and kind comments about my goodies. You guys always brighten my day!
So sorry to all of you who were eyeballing the key lime pies and chex mix recipe…I have to keep these ones under wraps!!
I will be posting some other yummy recipes though soon!
wow! you are amazing! Plz more recipes.
Wow, those look great. Wish I had been a volunteer.
Melody, you are amazing! Everything looks absolutely fantastic! You must be exhausted!
And Very Happy Birthday and the Best Wishes to you!!!
You’ve got to be kidding me?! To echo all the others, you are amazing.