We have finally had a day of warmer weather - I hope it's here to stay. But, as the temperatures outside rise, and outdoor weddings are starting to happen again, it's time to think about keeping your guests cool. When your ceremony is outside, you might like to present your guests with stylish favor fans, like these from Favor Days, to stay cool. Some fans even let you incorporate your monogram and wedding date on them.
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With the weather {hopefully} warming up soon and outdoor ceremonies being planned, favor fans are the perfect extra touch for your wedding guests. They will stay cool in style plus, you can even incorporate your names and wedding date or a personal quote with the fan. Simply add your own small printed piece of paper to the spokes of the fan or you can even wrap the paper around the outside. Having your reception outdoors in a tent? Why not present each of your guests with a wedding fan at their place setting? You can even add a piece of paper or tie a tag around the closed fan with the names of your guests to serve as a place card and favor in one.
Favor Fan Styles Shown Above: Colored Paper Favor Fans, Cherry Blossom Hand Fans, Elegant White Paper Favor Fans, Contemporary Hearts Hand Fans
Having a destination wedding? Consider filling these adorable Miniature Travel Suitcase Container or Miniature Travel Trolleys from The Wedding Outlet with your favorite goodies and then finishing it off with a personalized World of Happiness Travel Sticker. They make the perfect favor for a destination wedding, bon voyage party or a corporate getaway.
And, don't miss out on this great deal to shop now and Save 6% off your order PLUS $6 ground shipping. Simply shop The Wedding Outlet and use code 66FORU at checkout to save
Casey Barber, author of "Classic Snacks Made from Scratch", takes your favorite brand-name bites and turns them into homemade treats {70 of them to be exact}. Recently, Casey wowed everyone at a wedding with her delightful, heart-shaped twist on the homemade Oreo cookie that's in her book. It was the perfect bite-sized dessert. Today, Casey is sharing her recipe with us for the Heart-Shaped Oreo Cookies {plus, I share more on the book and the included recipes below} . . .
Heart-Shaped Oreos®
Drumroll, please. It’s hard to mess with the perfection of an Oreo, the most popular cookie in America—but that hasn’t stopped high-end chefs and home bakers alike from trying. This cookie takes a step away from softer homemade versions for an authentic cookie crunch and firm, sugary center.
Dunk ’em in milk, twist the layers apart and nibble the cream, or eat in one or maybe two big bites—all the classic eating methods apply. Want a Double Stuf Oreo? Just make twice the amount of filling and load up.
YIELD: 3 dozen filled cookies
TOTAL TIME: 2 hours, including dough chilling time
DIFFICULTY: 3
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: stand mixer, 1½-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter for classic round shapes, or a heart-shaped cookie cutter for heart cookies.
COOKIES
3 cups (12¾ ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
½ cup (1½ ounces) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon baked soda
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (a scant 1⁄3 cup)
8 tablespoons (4 ounces) chilled unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
½ cup (3¼ ounces) vegetable shortening
1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
FILLING
2½ cups (10 ounces) powdered sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 tablespoons whole or reduced-fat milk
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
MAKE THE COOKIES:
Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baked soda, baking powder, and salt together into a large bowl until no lumps remain.
Melt the chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, or microwave at 15-second intervals, stirring between each burst, until liquefied. Set aside to cool slightly.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, shortening, and sugar on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes, until light, fluffy, and creamy. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly before adding the next. Pour in the melted chocolate and mix until just combined.
Add the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Shape into 2 discs of roughly equal size and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until firm.
Preheat the oven to 375˚F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat liners.
On a floured work surface, roll one of the dough discs to ¼-inch thickness and stamp out cookie rounds, using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Transfer the hearts to the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining disc of dough.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are slightly crispy at the edges and puffed but still pliable in the center. Cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
FILL THE COOKIES:
Using the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the powdered sugar, corn syrup, milk, and shortening on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 30 more seconds to whip slightly.
With the flat side of a cooled cookie facing up, spoon 1 teaspoon filling onto the center. Top with a second cookie, flat side down, spreading the filling evenly. Repeat to fill all the cookies.
Store the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
If you love the Brand-Name Treats like Oatmeal Creme Pies, Entenmann's® Donuts, Hostess® Chocolate Cupcakes, Neopolitan Ice Cream Sandwiches, Creamsicles®, Sour Patch Kids®, and others - you are going to love Classic Snacks Made from Scratch. You can now have the ever-popular faved goodies but without the artificial additives and colors. Just think of the fun dessert displays you can create for bridal showers and even weddings with this cookbook. Each recipe also lets you know what special equipment {if any} is necessary - I just wish there were photos for each one. While, of course, it's not necessary because there are complete instructions with each recipe, I'm just a visual person and love to see what the finished treat should look like. But, I guess that just means each of the goodies will have our twist on them, right? Just like the featured heart oreo's above - as you could make them any cookie cutter shape you desire.
PS: While I did receive a copy of this cookbook, the views expressed in this post are completely by own. I'm looking forward to making my daughter her own goldfish crackers, but gluten free of course. I just need to figure out how to make a gluten free version of cake flour. Anybody know?
Hearts are always a sentimental favorite for weddings which makes these elegant frosted glass tea light holders from The Wedding Outlet a perfect favor for your guests. The frosted style will suit any type of decor and offer the perfect finishing touch to your tables. Guest will find this heart shaped favor useful and enjoy them at home. Each package contains two candle holders.