Merry Christmas!

On behalf of all of us here at Bites Desserts, we hope you all have a very merry Christmas! Tis the season, so cherish the memories and enjoy this time with friends and family. With visions of sugarplums dancing in your heads. Happy holidays!

Holiday Gift Guide - DIY Treat Bags

The holidays are approaching, but have no fear we are here to help. Today we are going to share with you a great DIY gift idea: Treat bags.

The first thing you need is a cute favor bag: we used our No Peeking Holiday Favor bag (available here or check here for more options). 

The second thing you need is some treats. You can either buy the treats or make them yourself. We filled our treat bags with our homemade peppermint bark popcorn (available here) and mini chocolate chip cookies., but there are so many other options like candy, brownies, nuts, trail mix, sugar cookies...you get the idea. 

Once you're done you can tie some twine or ribbon around the bag,,and you're done! Give them to your friends, use them as favors for holiday parties, or stuff them in those stockings. Treat bags are one gift that everyone will love!

If you don't want to do it yourself, you can buy our treat bags here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/110216229/peppermint-and-chocolate-popcorn-5-mini

Holiday Gift Guide - For the Baker

I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving! I was lucky enough to spend my Thanksgiving with my wonderful family in the Bay Area. I am so thankful for getting to see my family and close friends, but I STILL cannot believe that the holiday season is here! I am already trying to think of great gift ideas for everyone on my list. I know it is hard to find the perfect gift, so I've decided to do a Holiday Gift Guide for the entire month of December. Each week I will post a different Holiday Gift Guide. This week's gift guide is for the bakers in our life (something I have some experience in). Yes, I want EVERYTHING on this list :)

1. Sweet Creations Peppermint Bark Mold - On Sale for $8.12

Nothing says the holidays like some good old-fashioned peppermint bark. Your favorite baker will love this peppermint bark mold, so she/he can create their own bark bars with fun holiday sayings. You can be the taste tester :) 

2. Do-It-Yourself Cookie Cutters - $24.95

Bakers will love these crafty cookie cutters. The receiver of this gift can create personalized cookies with the custom shapes and fun sayings included in the set. 

3. Gingerbread Cake Pop Molds - $11

Cake Pops are the bite size dessert of choice these days, and this gift allows us to put a festive spin on the yummy treat. The baker in your life will really enjoy making little gingerbread men cake pops with this gift. The pops themselves will even make great gifts.

4. Chanel Logo Candies

This is the perfect gift for that baker/fashionista. These Chanel Logo candies are perfect for eating as is or to use to decorate desserts. Bakers can use them to top their delicious cupcakes or decorate anything really.

For more fabulous gift ideas, follow our Holiday Gift Guide Board on Pinterest. We will be pinning several great gift ideas every day!

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween! We will be munching on tons of candy and bite size Halloween treats tonight, and we hope you'll be doing the same!

***GIVEAWAY*** Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

We received such a great reaction for our homemade peanut buttercups that we are giving a box away! We will mail you a box of 12 yummy peanut butter cups. To enter the giveaway, subscribe to our blog and leave a comment below telling us about your favorite homemade dessert. To increase your chances, follow us on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/bitesdesserts), twitter (https://twitter.com/bitesdesserts), and pinterest (http://pinterest.com/bitesdesserts/). To increase your chances even more, share our blog or facebook page with your friends! Giveaway ends on 10/20 at noon PST, so make sure to enter before then! Good Luck!!!

xoxo

Easy DIY Peanut Butter Cups

Looking for an easy way to curb that chocolate craving? Try this EASY recipe for home made peanut butter cups. If you don't like peanut butter, you can also use other fillings. I used graham cracker crumbs and marshmallow fluff to make s'mores cups. They were amaaaazing!

What you need:

Chocolate: Any type (white, milk, dark)  and in any form (bars or chocolate chips)

Mini Cupcake Pan

Mini Cupcake Liners

Jar of Peanut Butter

 or

Graham Cracker Crumbs and a Jar of Marshmallow Fluff for the S'mores Cups

What to do:

Step 1: Melt your chocolate any way you see fit. It doesn't matter if you use the microwave or a double broiler.

Step 2: Line a mini cupcake pan with cupcake liners of your choice. I chose some basic silver ones.

Step 3: Pour some melted chocolate into the liners so that you have the covered the bottom of the liners with chocolate. The liners should be less than half full of chocolate.

Step 4: Use a mini ice cream scoop (or spoon) to scoop some peanut butter on top of the chocolate. I used crunchy peanut butter for an extra crunch but any type of peanut butter will do.

If you want to make the s'mores cups, after you have poured some melted chocolate on the bottom of the liners, top the chocolate with graham cracker crumbs and a spoon of marshmallow fluff.

Step 5: Pour the remaining melted chocolate on top of the filling. You should see no filling. You can use a spoon to smooth out the chocolate. If you want to be adventurous, top the cups with sprinkles or graham cracker crumbs.

Step 6: Place the mini cupcake pan in the fridge and let the cups set for 15-20 min. Once the cups have hardened, take them out of the fridge and enjoy!

You can package them up and share them with friends. I like to package them in a nice cellophane bag with a bow. They also make cute and easy favors, especially if you're having a halloween party this year :)

take a bite!

xoxo

As Summer Comes to an End...Here are some California Travels on a Budget

As summer comes to an end, I thought I'd share a little of what did this summer. I didn't get to go on a major summer vacation, but I was able to do some great weekend trips around California. Luckily California has great weather, so you can still visit these places now! Here are some great destinations to visit that won't break the bank:

1) Hearst Castle - San Simeon, CA

I've never been to Hearst Castle before, but this is a must see. With ceilings and paintings imported from Europe, the castle is absolutely breathtaking and definitely rivals the castles in Europe. The views are especially gorgeous since the castle is up on the cliff right across from the ocean. I would definitely take a weekend trip here to enjoy the beach town and amazing grounds.  

2) Wineries - Napa, CA

If you're looking for a relaxing weekend full of great wine, great food, and breathtaking scenery, head to Napa and its surrounding cities. Full of wineries and fabulous restaurants, Napa allows you to eat and drink your way into relaxation. Some of my favorite wineries are Domaine Chandon, Domaine Carneros, Mondavi, and Sterling. Chandon and Carneros are especially perfect if you love sparkling wines. Some great spots to grab a bite are Bouchon, Ad Hoc, and Boon Fly Cafe.

3) Paradise Cove - Malibu, CA

Malibu is my favorite beach town. It has the best beaches and usually isn't too crowded. One of my favorite places to go in Malibu is Paradise Cove; a private beach where you can bring your own alcohol (no hard alcohol) and also rent cabanas, chairs, or day beds. There is also a restaurant on the premises with great nachos and tropical drinks. This is a great place to come with a group of fun friends. You can seriously lounge here all day, especially if you get one of their day beds, which I highly recommend!

Hello Summer: Quick and easy summer shake

Summer is here! As you trade in your pants and boots for shorts and flip flops, here is a quick and easy recipe to help you stay cool. I know when I get hot I need a nice cold drink to help keep me cool. Here is my go to recipe for an easy chocolate shake. It's also healthier than a normal chocolate shake because theres no ice cream involved.

What you will need:
1 cup nonfat milk
1/2-1 cup ice depending on how icy you want it
1 packet hot cocoa mix

Stick all 3 ingredients into a blender and blend. Pour it into a glass, stick in a straw and Enjoy! Yes, you are welcome. Stay cool my friends! It feels like this summer is going to be a hot one!

Favorite Bakeries in LA

We haven't posted in a while - mostly because we have been busy revamping our menu and fulfilling orders (make sure to check out or new menu). Now that we have some time to breathe, we want to share with you come of our favorite bakeries in LA. So, if you live in LA or are visiting soon, make sure to visit our 3 favorite bakeries....

1. Sweet Lady Jane


We love the original location at 8360 Melrose Avenue. They make THE BEST cakes. So make sure to stop by and pick up one. A couple of our favorites are the Mocha Praline, Triple Berry Shortcake, and Hazelnut Mousse. Grab a slice and then run over to the shops on Melrose for a great day of food and shopping.


2. Susina


Located at 7122 Beverly Blvd, their banana cream pie is to die for. One individual pie is meant to split between 2 people, so take a date or if you're like us just have the whole thing to yourself. Their sandwiches are also delicious if you need to get out of that sugar coma. 


3. Bouchon


In the heart of Beverly Hills, you will find this amazing gem. Reminiscent of the bakeries in Paris, Thomas Keller's bakery has the finest creations. My favorites are the giant macarons and the chocolate bouchons. Grab your favorite treat and take it to the beautiful courtyard at the Montage. Once you're done, walk to nearby Rodeo Drive to burn off some calories. 

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day is around the corner! This year, the best ideas are both fun and flirty. Don't go the usual flowers, candy, and lingerie. Show here you love her by being fun and flirty at the same time. Here are some of our favorite ideas on what you should get your valentine:

First of all EVERY girl loves chocolate, so you can keep the chocolate on your list but try these novel chocolate products as opposed to a box of boring chocolates

Send her a nice heart shaped truffle box - these come in great flavors like mint and cookies and cream

or

go one step further and get her this red velvet cake pop bouquet - I'm sure she will appreciate it more than flowers

Once you've got the chocolate, move on to the good stuff. You can get her something you know she needs or get her something you know she wants. Every girl loves clothes, shoes, jewelry, and bags. Pick the one you know she'll love. Here are some ideas to flirt with:

a chic iphone cover

some fun jewelry

cute flats or anything gold or with glitter

 Good luck with the gift hunting! I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!


xoxo

www.bitesdesserts.com

Apartment Therapy

I am currently in the midst of looking for a new apartment. I think I am more excited about the decorating than the actual apartment I will be living in. Some themes I am playing with are polka dots, whites, silver, and gold mixed in with some natural colors. Here are some products I love:

How would you decorate your apartment? For more info on these products, follow me on pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bitesdesserts/for-my-new-apt/

Happy New Year!

Another year has passed, which means new beginnings, fresh starts, and new goals. I like to reflect on the year that has passed and look to this year to accomplish new things and reach new heights. Forget the past and look to the future. Out with the old and in with the new. Some goals this year include making bites desserts bigger and better than ever, studying, making new friends, and having new adventures. I have resolved to take a bite of life and enjoy each and every moment of the new year. Here's to 2012! We hope you all take a bite :)