Thursday, October 21, 2010

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup

Sooo, my very best friend, Meghan, sent this recipe over to me a few weeks ago. Since then, I've been DYING to try it! The first picture isn't mine (have to give props to "Cook Like a Champion"!).


Here is my attempt:


I wish my bottle were cuter! I got it from the Goodwill so it was cheap. I really wish I had one like Cook Like a Champion!

...and... the recipe!

Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin purée

Directions:
-In a small pot over medium heat, dissolve sugar in water.
-Once sugar is dissolved, add remaining ingredients. Allow to cook
for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not boil.
-Strain mixture using cheesecloth or a tea towel.
-Pour into a small (8-10 ounce) bottle and store in the refrigerator.
-To make a pumpkin spice latte, simply add about 1 1/2 tablespoons
of syrup for each shot of espresso.
-For an iced latte, stir together syrup and espresso
before adding desired amount of cold milk.
-For a hot latte, add frothed milk and stir to combine.
Top with whipped cream, if desired.

I added a little more pumpkin syrup than the ratio she states above. My homemade PSL was delicious!!! Let me know how yours turns out! Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Cupcake Gift Card Holders

My sister (One Star Away) made a gift card holder resembling a cupcake for a wedding gift. I thought it was adorable and begged her to send me the tutorial she used. After briefly looking it over, I got an idea of how to make it. Instead of using the tutorial step for step, I decided to make it my own! Below are the pictures of the wedding cupcake GC holder that I made for my friend Erin (who got married just this past Saturday- congrats again!) and also one that I made for our wedding photographer (who got married last month).

Cupcake GC Holder for Erin:


Cupcake GC Holder for Tori:

I've decided I'm going to make a whole bunch and keep them around for whenever I may need them (birthday, wedding, just because!) =)

Thanks for looking!