Rainbow Skittles Vodka

As soon as I saw this "Tempting Tipple" bottle, I just knew I wanted to create my own tipple. I considered Limoncello (and that may be my next adventure) but I settled on infused vodka. I recall people have been infusing vodka with skittles since I was a teenager (and probably before that too, but I was too young to take any notice)

You all know Skittles right? they are the fruit flavoured candies, the purple one almost appears dark brown/black

I took 6x small packs of Skittles and 2x 1litre bottles of NZ Stil vodka. Not being a vodka connoisseur I set off to Liquorland just down the road in search of the spirit, there was a lot to choose from - some which might be considered a premium brand was quite expensive, and this brand was only 2 for $60 - I'll admit I fell in love with the NZ map on the bottle, but the gold medal award from the World Spirit competition in San Fransisco told me despite the price it was probably pretty darn good.

I separated the 5 flavours, and popped them each in their own flask - I'll admit any jar would do for the infusing stage, but I couldn't resist the look of my "science experiment" in the Kiwicake's test kitchen.

Normally it just takes 24 hours, but mine got to sit all weekend as on the day I intended to decant it, we were short staffed. This resulting mixture needs filtered (I used a coffee filter - an enormous pack of unbleached filters was only $2 at Bin Inn), if you still have white "bits" floating in it, just filter a second (third or fourth) time until your mixture is free of any foreign "bits" you may get a bit too much sludge, making the straining process slow, in which case, I just switched the mixture over to a fresh paper filter.

As rainbow parties are so popular at the moment, this would be perfect for the ADULTS only - I suggest keeping it out of the reach of children as the colour is very inviting.

If you're not sure what Skittle flavour vodka you might like, try popping just a few of each candy in to a shot glass with a shot of vodka, this quick method will allow you to see which single flavour you might wish to go ahead with.

The green skittle candy made a very sour vodka, the other 4 were quite sweet.

I think the tempting tipple bottle would be lovely for a gift with any creation in it, but I'm thinking home made vanilla extract - made by placing vanilla beans in vodka would also be gorgeous. A great idea for a Christmas gift made with love.

Chocolate Potato Chips - from Kiwicakes test kitchen

We were recently introduced to this ultimate indulgence. Potato chips and chocolate together - what could be better?

Sandra's good friend Leisa from Hong Kong needs a special mention for visiting and bringing a pack. Its a Japanese Company called Royce who make and distribute them professionally.

We took up the challenge to recreate the delicacy with local kiwi products and it worked surprisingly well. They even stayed crisp! You could use milk or dark chocolate to paint the potato chips of your choice.  I used milk melting chocolate brushed on both ripples and kettle chips from the supermarket with a wide paintbrush. Salt and vinegar and ready salted were popular but you could go crazy.

Lastly I used cupcake papers for fun presentation (and portion control!) This is so easy I encourage you to have a go next time you have friends over to watch a sports game. You will be popular!

Pineapple Lump truffles YUM!

I made these simple truffles a little while back, after we had a macaron making demonstration at Kiwicakes - our lovely tutor left behind quite a large quantity of dark chocolate ganache, flavoured with pineapple Lorann's oil (if you've never used the lorann's oil flavourings before, you don't know what you are missing - a few drops goes a long way and they are only $3)

Ganache makes awesome truffles, simply scoop out small pieces with a teaspoon once chilled and roll in to a ball. The pineapple flavoured ganache tasted so much like a pineapple lump - it was uncanny. I rolled the truffles in our golden yellow lustre Kiwicake's non pareils, they stick right on the ganache. Initially I was worried a truffle rolled in non pareils would be too much crunch. But they were lovely - our wonderful non pareils are not solid and hard like some brands (are Kiwicake's brand sugar pearls are also easy to bite). I asked every member of the Kiwicake's staff if they liked them with the non pareil coating, they all agreed the crunch was a nice contrast to the rich ganache.

Now I'm thinking rainbow truffles, pink with strawberry or bubble gum, green with key lime or pistachio, blue with blueberry, purple with grape. Oh! the possibilities. What flavour would you try? My truffles are bottled in one of our "MADE WITH LOVE" preserving jars

Take home gift for our little party guests

apologies, currently the picture loading on blogger, won't let me load landscape, it is doing everything potrait. I will endeavour to fix asap.

This year, when I was planning Poppy's 7th birthday party, my husband Vaugahn asked if we could give our party guests, a gift that was reusable or recyclable (I.E no plastic toys that would break on first use). With a little help from a friend, th Oh-so-0fabulously talented Lisa (who did the sewing), we came up with My little pony aprons, cupcake papers and cupcake sprinkles. I also handmade some cupcake picks.
The gifts are packaged in wilton cupcake boxes. Each guest received, 1 apron, some cupcake papers, 12 picks & sprinkles. (The sprinkles & cupcake picks were packed inside the small pink pony box)

The smallest things in life make me happy

I discovered these wonderful plastic cupcake boxes, to hold 6 cupcakes at our local discount store. I haven't used them for cupcakes, but for cupcake papers. I have been on a quest to find something suitable to stop my cupcake papers from flaring out, once removed from their packaging, for quite some time. This simple box does the job beautifully, no more stretched papers in the rubbish bin for me! Yay!. If you'd like one of these cool boxes too. Just ask in the comment section when placing your order at http://www.kiwicakes.co.nz/ and I'll be happy to send you one. (please don't send me a separate email request for a box, as at this busy time of year, I'll likely forget to include it with your order - if it's there in the comments section, it can't be missed out)

Cupcake wrappers make the cutest jar covers

How cute. I just realised cupcake wrappers make the cutest jar covers. So quick and easy. And for gift giving, can be perfectly matched to a batch of cupcakes. Click here for cupcake papers

Stunning new Packaging for your Christmas goodies

These a definitely a new favourite thing a stunning range of bags, in both lollipop & gift size. They are clear plastic, with a printed design. The hard part is going to be deciding what I put in them for Xmas. I'm thinking fudge, chocolates and or cookies. available for purchase now. A great christmas packaging idea, priced at only 4.95 per pack - click here to buy