backtack snacks

Saturday I’m hosting a party/open house for local participants of Back-tack 3 (Back-tack is essentially a crafty swap). I am looking forward to it, but the last time I had an open house? I baked for a week, and on the day of the party there was a torrential storm, and only a couple people came.
But anyway, I baked and baked today. I was hoping to have lots of delicious food to distract guests from noticing how scary and weird our house is. Now, I know I talk about food and baking all the time, but to be perfectly honest, I am not a naturally talented cook. I am a follower of directions. Today I followed directions, but I also had to improvise quite a bit.
First up was the most successful baked good of the day: icebox shortbread from Martha. I split the dough in half and made earl grey and currant from one half and matcha with the other half. I kind of went nuts with the matcha, so only the matcha-brave should try them:

shortbread tea.JPGshortbread matcha.JPG

I then made a couple batches of gougeres, one with gruyere and one with red bell pepper. I overbaked the gruyere batch, and the red pepper one was so runny I had to use a mini muffin tin!
gougere.JPGred pepper gougeres.JPG

Next I started to make the Daniel Boulud Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes with Mocha Ganache and Mascarpone Cream (I KNOW, can you believe how yummy that sounds?) that I read about here and here, but I already screwed them up. I overfilled the cupcake liners, leaving NO ROOM for the mocha ganache. So, I guess I’ll skip the ganache and just pipe on the mascarpone cream.
On a positive note, however, Alison, one of the lovely hostesses of Back-tack, sent an incredible party package from Australia, so we shall not go hungry at the party!
timtams.JPGaussie goodies.JPG

I am equally excited about this variety pack of Thomas Kemper sodas:
kemper sodas.JPG

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12 Responses to backtack snacks

  1. debbie says:

    oooh i’m so jealous i don’t live in oregon! but my thoughts and dreams of goodies will be with you all….

  2. Stephanie says:

    oh – have a wonderful party 🙂 Wish I could be there – if not for all the backtack fun (which I’m missing out on 🙁 missed the subscription – drat!) then for all the tasty treats!
    They all look fabulous….and about that ganache, I say turn it all into truffles 😉

  3. amy k. says:

    i am so there-save a tim-tam!

  4. Stella says:

    Well, all your cookies LOOK good, I’m not sure about eating them according to your description but what I’m really curious about is why is your house “scary & weird”? Do you have staircases leading to nowhere? Diminishing ceiling height hallways? Squishy walls? Doors that open to drop-off floors? Are you really Sarah Mariko Winchester? :)))

  5. Carol says:

    What a yummy party! I made those cupcakes for my friend’s wedding last weekend. I overfilled the liners too (didn’t follow the recipe directions to fill halfway), so I let the ganache set in the fridge for a bit and spread it on top of the cupcakes, then topped with marscapone cream. Still quite yummy!

  6. Emma says:

    mmm Tim Tams! You really can’t buy them in the US?
    But oh, no vegimite?

  7. melissa f. says:

    thanks again, mariko. i’m chowing down on the leftovers as i type!

  8. Kathy says:

    Mmmmm…..icebox cookies and gougere. The cupcakes look really good, too – betting they’re fine even without the ganache. Happy sewing and munching!

  9. Alison says:

    I hope the party went well and the suagr high wasn’t unbearable for everyone!! Send me pics!!

  10. megan says:

    gimme all that soda…NOW!

  11. Morgan says:

    Sounds like a great party & wonderful time with friends. Weekends just don’t get better than that!

  12. Amy says:

    For the matcha shortbread cookies, did you just add matcha powder to the mix? They look so tasty!

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