July 7, 2010

I Love Sugar Cookies

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Chocolate Cosmos

I do.  I love them in any shape, for any occasion.  The shape of a sugar cookie is only limited by your imagination.  When I decide upon a shape, if I don’t have they cutter for it, I make a template.  I first draw it on paper.  If the shape is symmetric, I first fold the paper in half, sketch it, cut it out and

Chocolate Bridal Cookies ~ Great for showers, favors, or dessert buffet.

lay it flat.  Does it look right?  Once I am happy with it’s basic shape, I will glue that paper to some heavy card stock or thin cardboard.  Using the paper as the guide, I carefully cut out the card stock, completing the template.  It is now only awaiting the dough to be rolled out.  A sharp, short bladed knife works excellent for tracing the template.

I find that the best sugar cookies are 2.5 – 3.5″ across.  These are substantial enough to sell individually or by the dozen.  This size allows nice decoration and details, and the will neatly fit into a standard size

Hand piping royal icing on to heart-shaped vanilla cookies.

cellophane goodie bag. I prefer the clear ones, as the cookies, when finished are decoration enough

when the bag is tied with a coordinating ribbon, rafia or twisty-tie or lace.  A gift tag also finishes the favor and allows personalization.

Royal icing "run outs" before final piping.

Chocolate, almond, cinnamon or vanilla flavored, it doesn’t matter to me.   A butter recipe is a must.  Your baked cookie should be about 1/6″ of an inch thick.  It should have a firmness to it, and a slight hint of golden color.  When you bite into the cookie, the mouth feel should be tender, not tough.  An over-baked cookie will be hard, crumbly and fragile.  A soft cookie will win you accolades.

I love when they’re iced, and suddenly come “alive”!

Easter cookies.

Icing the cookies has some variation, depending on the finish product you hope

One is prettier than the next...

to achieve.  Flavor-wise, it is difficult to beat them iced with a butter cream frost, and simple sugar crystals.  Butter cream will also take tinting.  A butter cream will help the cookie keep its soft, tender texture for several days kept in an airtight container.  They do not, however, stack well.

Royal icing, in varying consistencies, can help you achieve great results.  Because royal icing is made from egg whites (or meringue powder), flavoring and powdered sugar, it will dry completely firm.  You may keep it’s nature white, or tint it to desired colors.  I recommend food coloring gels, as they are easy to incorporate and they do not add a significant

Gingerbread skelletons and green-tinted witch fingers.

amount of moisture to the icing.  Liquid food colorings can make your royal icing running because they are water based.  You can control the

Pumpkins with cinnamon royal icing.

consistency of royal icing by adding a few drops of water to thin it, or more powdered sugar to stiffen it.

Bridal cookies.

I  love when they’re iced, and suddenly come “alive”!  Holidays become special when cookies are decorated and add to the festivities.  You can count on Caffè Victoria to have special sugar cookies for Valentine’sDay, St. Patricks, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas, as well as other holidays, throughout the year.

Special occasion cookies can be ordered by the dozen by calling Victoria, 970/686.5005, and we have successfully shipped our cookies throughout the continental US.

Surprise someone special to you with a batch.
 

June 23, 2010

Gift Basket Specialty Items (An Open Invite)

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Open invitation for you to present information on your specialty items that could be included in our holiday gift baskets.

Catering by Victoria is expanding our services to include holiday gift baskets.  While we have created these in the past for special clients, the growth and request for us to provide this service has been in demand.  Due to these growing requests, we have decided to venture into this arena.  With all things by Victoria, we want to do it right.  Our gift baskets will be a true treat for those lucky enough to receive them.

In order to find the brightest and the best basket items, we are putting out this open invitation for those of you with special items to send us information on them.

Merchandisers may email information to: giftbaskets@caffevictoria.com.

Deliver or ship samples  to:  Caffè Victoria, 1296-A Main Street, Windsor, Colorado 80550.

With your product information, please include wholesale pricing and shipping information, if applicable.

 

May 10, 2010

Gift Baskets

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Thick, fudgy Walnut Brownies are just one option to include in a gift basket.

Just adding another service to our repertoire, customized and themed gift baskets.

Gift basket of goodies for the Colorado State University Equine Surgical Center, as a “thank you” from one of their large animal patients.

This THANK YOU isn’t for everyone and every circumstance, but very apt for those special in your daily life.  The next time you experience the joy and comfort in working with a true professional, or when you have received the exceptional service of an outstanding colleague, or the next time you need to thank a special client, supplier, or service provider, consider sending them a basketful of gratitude.

We’ll help you accomplish your goal of thanking certain people with a thoughtful, usable gift. With a little bit of information and insight, we’ll create a relevant gift from you.  When they enjoy the delicious sweet and savory snacks, coffees and teas, fresh pastries, healthy treats, jams, jellies, sauces, mixes, picnic baskets, and so on, they can’t help but reflect on your kindness and thoughtfulness.  A gift such as this will be memorable and relationally building.  If you want to make a positive impression, this is a fine way to do it, and it is literally, just a phone call away. (970)686.5005  We’ll deliver it, or we’ll SHIP IT!

 

January 20, 2010

Decadent Cake Truffles

Posted by Chef Victoria under Cakes by Victoria, Catering by Victoria | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
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Here’s another option for cake at your wedding!  Individual Cake truffles, sometimes called “cake balls,” are a delicious alternative or addition to a traditional wedding cake.  They make great gifts of love for Valentine’s & Mother’s Days too!

Whimsically decorated cake truffles for your sweetie.

If you are looking for another option to wedding cake, consider serving cake truffles at your wedding.  You can create a beautiful display, so inviting for your guests to dig into.  Cakes by Victoria is now offering cake truffles in a variety of flavors, colors and options.  They are a great accompaniment to a traditional ceremonial cake.  Some brides are opting to have both, allowing them ceremonial picture opportunities and serving ease.  It is quite easy to decorate your cake truffles according to your wedding theme and color palette.

Victoria will create cake truffles to your specifications.  However, the standard size cake truffles are  five ounce portions, dipped in your choice of dark, milk or white chocolate.  They can be topped with single pastillage flower, sprinkles or a contrasting chocolate color.  Wonderful to look at and delicious to eat, your guests will be delighted, and surely talking about your wedding dessert for some time to come.

Cake truffles are excellent dessert options for the rehearsal dinner, bridal or baby showers, and can double as favors on the dining tables.  Depending on your final design, cake truffles will cost just $1.75 to $3.00 per serving.  

 

January 19, 2010

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Posted by Chef Victoria under Caffè Victoria, Recipes | Tags: , , , |
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CHOCOLATE CHIP SHORTBREADS

Dressed-up shortbreads, dipped in chocolate and toasted pecans.

No eggs, no problem!  Make shortbread cookies, and make this recipe because it is a winner.  These slow-baked cookies have a delicious flavor,  nutty crunch, and stack well so they are perfect for gift giving.  These cookies have also been called, “Noah Bedoahs.”

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

1 3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Beat butter & sugar together.  Add remaining ingredients, mixing until combined, adding chocolate last. Preheat oven to 275  °.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Scoop dough into 1″ balls and place on prepared sheet.  Flatted dough slightly with a flat bottom glass, or long pronged fork.  Bake 55-60 minutes.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

Yield:  2 dozen

 

December 6, 2009

New Products at Caffè Victoria

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Buttery palmiers, a light and delicious accompaniment with tea.

Marinara sauce canned and processed.

In my home, growing up, the smells of Christmas filled the air at the holidays.  My mom and sisters created some wonderful, holiday delights that have been passed on to me, and I have in turn passed them on to those I love.

Nut & Fruity Honey Granola

Just in time for holiday shopping, Caffè Victoria has many kinds of packaged foods and goodies that are great in your pantry, or as gifts for those close to you.  Offerin jarred sauces, salsa, spiced apple butter and preserves.  Toasted fruit and nut honey granola, butter cookies, chocolate-dipped pretzels and much more can be picked up.

These cinnamon rolls melt in your mouth, iced with cream cheese frosting.

Our coffee is hot, our espresso is smooth, and there will be fine, freshly baked pastries to tempt you.  Bring a friend and escape from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping in our comfy caffe.

 

November 5, 2009

Getting the Most for Our Marketing Efforts

Posted by Chef Victoria under Catering by Victoria | Tags: , , , , , |
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We have contacted with a local radio station that airs ads for our catering busines to create some yummy, special gift boxes.  These gift boxes will be handed out to the radio station’s top clients.  Seems like participating in this customer appreciation endeavor was a no-brainer.  It is an opportunity to get our delicious product, in a nice neat package, to top business relations.

Spiced Chocolate Cookies

Mini Box of Snowballs Cookies

On some level, we get to reap the rewards of the gift giving benefits.  These vicarious clients will no doubt enjoy their goodie boxes, that will subtly have our logo on the packaging.  An association will likely be made….yummy stuff from Catering by Victoria.  It looks like a winning engagement with our vendor along with a name recognition made with their top customers.  We just might come out of this with a real boost to our client base, simply by doing what we’re good at.

A peek inside the gift box.

 

November 4, 2009

Apple Butter

Posted by Chef Victoria under Caffè Victoria, Recipes, restaurant | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
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Here’s a quick, delicious gift idea for Christmas giving.  Bake a fresh loaf of brioche or a Finnish Braid to give along with this apple butter.  It will make a wonderful breafast snack for your loved ones to enjoy Christmas morning.

Spooning warmed, spiced apple butter on your toast might just fool your mouth into thinking you’re eating apple pie.  Served warm it is a very satisfying accompaniment to bagels, biscuits, pancakes and waffles.  The quantity made with this recipe can be canned and enjoyed throughout the winter months.

For canning, you will need four 1-pint jars with lids.  Sterilize your jars and lids ahead so you can fill them as the apple butter finishes baking.

Spiced Apple Butter

Makes approximately 2 quarts.

6 lbs. apples (such as Granny Smith, Macintosh, Pink Lady or Jonathans)

1 cup apple cider (or water)

2 – 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to  350 F.

Peel, core and slice apples into eight wedges.  Place them in a pot with the cider or water.  Cover and bring pot to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.  Cook with the cover on for about 15 minutes.  Remove lid and continue cooking about 5 minutes, or until apples are soft and aromatic.

Combine the remaining ingredients with the apples in a greased baking dish.  Cover dish with foil.  Bake apples about 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is dark, and thick and most of the liquid has been absorbed.  Apples should be thick, soft and easily mashed.

Ladle the hot apple butter into your prepared jars, leaving a 1/4″ space at top of jar.  Wipe the jar rim with a clean, sterilized towel.  Seal and process the jars in a boiling-water bath for 5 minutes.  Cool and label the jars.