Pepper Design Blog

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Lollipops

A girlfriend of mine recently threw an adorable 1st birthday party for her little girl. I debated for a while over what dessert I could help contribute… the end of summer called for something fresh & delicious, and my schedule for the day called for something easy & quick (I made the birthday girl’s first chocolate cake that morning – so my time crunch was tight!).

Chocolate dipped strawberries would be amazing – but where to find those beautiful big strawberries with the full stems (often the brand used for dipping) last minute? After digging through my cake decorating  box and coming across a bag of white lollipop sticks, I found the perfect solution.

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Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Pops

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Ingredients: strawberries, lollipop sticks (from your local craft store), foam for cooling, chocolate chips, 1 tb. butter per 12 oz bag of chocolate chips & rainbow nonpareils (round sprinkles)

1. Poke each lollipop stick through the stem end of your strawberries. When your entire batch is ready, pop them into the freezer to keep the sticks from loosening (an hour or so should do it).

2. Warm your chocolate chips and butter over a double broiler until melted (stirring constantly). Prepare your sprinkles by pouring into a small bowl (shallow enough for dipping).

3. Dip chilled strawberry lollipops into chocolate and immediately into sprinkles. Poke right side up into foam to harden. Refrigerate until ready to serve!

I’m working on DIY artwork for the bedroom now… it includes an old dresser mirror, cork and a vintage map. It’s a neat project! Stay tuned.

Summer Fruit Beverages to Keep You Coooool

From Watermelon Basil Margaritas to Bing Cherry Mohitos, Martha Stewart has whipped up a delicious list of fruit-inspired summer recipes for a party, family dinner on the patio or to pack up and take for a picnic. Here are a few of my favorites:

Clockwise above: Watermelon Blaster, Tropical Ginger Punch, Strawberry Hibiscus Tea Lemonade, Cucumber Lemonade, Mint, Cucumber & Vodka Cocktail, Strawberry Lemonade

A little inspiration to help us all beat the heat…

Tasty Treats for a Weekend Full of 4th of July Fun

When I was little, it was always my job each year to make a patriotic red, white and blue dessert… I don’t know how this little tradition came about but as a 12-year-old I loved taking on the daunting responsibility of baking my own treat for two dozen or so family friends! Thinking back to those years {and after oohing & ahhing over these photos} I’m thinking it might be fun to tackle the job again.

Our 4th of July now is typically reserved for a long day at the beach complete with volleyball, fireworks and marshmallow fights (true event – the whole beach brings bags of marshmallows for tossing across bonfires as soon as the night ends. It’s innocent and fun but what’s it like to wake up with melted marshmallow in your hair? gross).

Here are a few mouth-watering desserts that are catching my eye this year. Thanks BHG for all of the lovely inspiration! From Berry-Lemon Nepoleans, Raspberry Custard Brulee to Cheesecake Parfaits and Panna Cotta di Casa there are too many choices…

I’m tempted most by the Berry Pudding Cake, above, but might resign to a more beach-friendly alternative like Poundcake and Strawberries shaped like stars or pre-made plastic cups full of Red, White & Blue Parfait. Oh yum.

Mouth is watering… maybe I’ll have to make one each night until the big day…

Three Easy {Petite} Summer Treats

Here are three quick and easy treats that I made for a darling shower hosted by a friend this past weekend. The pictures are so-so, but the recipes make easy desserts for sharing on a hot summer’s day.

Follow the jump below for full recipes for the petite key lime cupcakes, mini hazelnut & strawberry cupcakes and finally bite-sized strawberry shortcake.

Happy baking, and happy Thursday! We are off to Richmond, Virginia this morning for a wedding. Recipes to follow: Read more »