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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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March 5, 2013

Before and After Easter Treats!

 

Before and After Easter Treats from atthepicketfence.com

We are so thrilled to be joining our wonderful and lovely friends Debbie from Oh So Shabby Debbie and Karianne of Thistlewood Farms in a sort of virtual potluck today. And, let us tell you that this is definitely our kind of potluck!

Forget the jello mold with mini-marshmallows on top and “mystery” casserole. We’re sharing some of our favorite Spring recipes and we don’t know about you but any potluck that consists of cocktails and desserts is right up our ally!

Just as the turkey is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving, ham seems to be the centerpiece of Easter or other Spring celebrations. But, we all know the truth, don’t we? That those are just the gateway to all of the wonderful side dishes, beverages and desserts.

So, we thought it would be fun to do a “Before and After” project of a different sort today and share some of our favorite new recipes which we believe would be wonderful accompaniments to ham, turkey, pork or anything really!

First, Vanessa is going to share with you a lovely Spring Brunch Cocktail which is the perfect way to start off any gathering this season.

Spring Brunch Cocktail on silver tray from www.atthepicketfence.com

When it comes to brunch, Mimosas seem to have cornered the cocktail market. But, I thought it would be fun to try out a new recipe which also brings a fresh pop of color to my Spring celebration. 

Adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe, this Spring Cocktail shouldn’t be reserved only for Brunch. We even made some to go with our Mexican take-out the other night! Shhhh…don’t tell Martha! 

Lillet brunch cocktail At the Picket Fence

 Garnished with a violet blossom (yes, they are edible!) this cocktail looks like Spring personified!

cocktail with violet garnish At the Picket Fence

And when served in vintage goblets which were collected for me and my sister by our grandmother, the cocktail almost seems to sparkle!

vintage cocktail glasses At the Picket Fence

All that’s left is to enjoy them with family and friends! 

Spring Brunch Cocktail on silver tray At the Picket Fence

Print
Lillet Spring Brunch Cocktail

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 6

Lillet Spring Brunch Cocktail

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. Lillet aperitif wine
  • 12 oz. Ruby Red grapefruit juice
  • 6 oz. gin
  • edible flowers as garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Combine 6 oz. Lillet, 6 oz. grapefruit juice and 3 oz. gin and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until well chilled. Strain and divide among cocktail glasses. Repeat.
  • Garnish with flowers if desired and serve immediately.
3.1
https://www.atthepicketfence.com/easter-cocktails-and-desserts-2/
This recipe is copyrighted by At The Picket Fence

After stuffing yourself on ham and potato salad, sometimes dessert can seem like an afterthought!  We often want just a “little bite” of something sweet without adding anymore calories to an already laden meal.  Well now you can have your “cake and eat it too”…literally!

Carrot Cake Dessert Shots from www.atthepicketfence.com

These Carrot Cake Dessert Shots, filled with moist carrot cake,  cream cheese frosting and pecans, are topped with a special sweet treat…candied carrots!

Carrot Cake Dessert Shots from www.atthepicketfence.com

Super easy to make and so pretty to serve, these shots of dessert are a perfect after dinner treat! Here’s the recipe!

Print
Carrot Cake Dessert Shots with Candied Carrots

Carrot Cake Dessert Shots with Candied Carrots

Ingredients

  • 1 Box of Betty Crocker carrot cake mix or carrot cake recipe of choice
  • 1 can cream cheese frosting or cream cheese frosting of choice
  • 2 cups pecans, finely chopped
  • 1 frosting bag and frosting tip of choice
  • Dessert shot glasses or small dessert bowls
  • Candied Carrots!
  • 1 large carrot
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

    Cake and Frosting Layers!
  • Bake cake according to directions in a 9 X 13 pan. Allow to cool completely
  • Finely chop pecans
  • Place frosting in piping bag with piping bag of choice
  • Cut several 1 inch cubes of cake
  • Layer desserts with pecans, cake, frosting and repeat ending with frosting. Top frosting with chopped pecans and coarsely chopped candied carrots
  • Candied Carrots!
  • Shred carrot using peeler
  • Bring sugar and water to a boil. Add carrots and reduce to a simmer
  • Simmer carrots for 15 minutes. Strain out carrots and place on wax paper until hardened. Coarsely chop and sprinkle on top of dessert shots
3.1
https://www.atthepicketfence.com/easter-cocktails-and-desserts-2/
This recipe is copyrighted by At The Picket Fence

Carrot Cake Dessert Shots from www.atthepicketfence.com

So, are you ready for two more fabulous Easter Treats!

Our dear friend Debbie, from Oh So Shabby by Debbie is sharing her fabulous Easter Bark she makes every year for her grandchildren. Be sure to visit her to get the recipe!

Oh So Shabby by Debbie Easter Bark

Our BBFF (Blogging Best Friend Forever) KariAnne of Thistlewood Farm, has created these darling Speckled Egg No Bake Oreo Cake Pops in edible nests! Wouldn’t these be fabulous at the place of each Easter dinner guest?! Be sure to stop by her blog to see a step by step tutorial!

No Bake Oreo Cake Pops from Thistlewood Farm

Do you have a favorite Easter Treat? Share it with us in the comments!
We’ll see you back here soon…at the picket fence!

dual signature

21 Comments Filed Under: Beverages, Celebrations, Desserts, Easter, Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: cocktails, desserts, Easter, Easter recipes, spring, spring recipes

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Comments

  1. Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says

    March 5, 2013 at 6:25 AM

    Carrot cake is my absolute favorite dessert, and those are so pretty! Mmmm…now I want carrot cake for breakfast. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Thistle says

    March 5, 2013 at 6:44 AM

    You go girls! It looks like perfection from start to finish! Love the edible flowers and the tiny crystalized carrots! So happy to be having a little spring fun with you both and Debbie!

    Have a great day rock stars!
    karianne

    Reply
  3. christine aldinger says

    March 5, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    i want to rush right out and get what i need for those c-cake shots……but 1 question….where in the world did you find the the glassware??

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 5, 2013 at 10:27 AM

      Hi Christine, I purchased these glasses at HomeGoods. It was a set of 8 with the small spoons. I am sure places like Target, etc carry something similar as well. 🙂

      Heather

      Reply
  4. Anita says

    March 5, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    Oh how fun! Vanessa, I have those same “Boopie” glasses too from my mom:-)

    Reply
    • Gina says

      March 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM

      I have “boopie” glasses too that were my mother-in-laws and then I found six more at an estate sale. Now I am always on the hunt for them. 🙂 I use mine as dessert glasses too!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Janel from NellieBellie says

    March 5, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    These look amazing!!! Yum!

    Reply
  6. Jill Flory says

    March 5, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    I’m thinking some cake pops in fun Easter colors would be the best. I had some cake pops a friend made months ago – she used a yellow cake mix and added a can of cream-of-coconut to it and then dipped the balls in white chocolate. it was a pass-the-plate-and-back-off kind of moment!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 5, 2013 at 10:26 AM

      Love cake pops! Be sure to check out Kari’s cute cake pops Jill! They are Speckled Eggs. 😉 ~Heather

      Reply
  7. Angelina says

    March 5, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    LOVE carrot cake!! This all looks so yummy and pretty!!
    xo
    Angelina

    Reply
  8. Sherry says

    March 5, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    What a great selection of recipes to try out for Easter. I love the idea of dessert shots. That is about all you need any way. Great post.
    Sherry

    Reply
  9. Cynthia says

    March 5, 2013 at 9:53 AM

    Both of these look delightful. Thanks for sharing.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  10. Judy says

    March 5, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    Those both look so good. I especially want to try the carrot cake one.

    Reply
  11. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    March 5, 2013 at 12:36 PM

    Love carrot cake…and what a great way to serve “just a few bites”…just enough!!….the drink looks wonderful too…love those glasses from your grandmother!

    Reply
  12. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    March 6, 2013 at 3:29 AM

    Ooo, lots of yumminess, girls! THink I’ll be trying out that cocktail!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  13. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    March 6, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    I’m eating soup for dinner… and now wishing I could have a few shots after 😉

    Reply
  14. John says

    March 21, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    The carrot cake shooters looks amazing! Definitely would love to try it.

    Reply
  15. arcondicionadoautomotivo says

    January 29, 2014 at 2:56 AM

    I feel this is among the list of a great deal of considerable information to me. And i’m delighted learning your own document. Yet would you like to remark in couple of ordinary items, The web site flavour can be great, your content articles is very great : Chemical. Beneficial endeavor, many thanks

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easter Egg Cake Pops says:
    March 5, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    […] teaming up today with my friends Heather and Vanessa from At the Picket Fence and Debbie from Oh So Shabby Debbie to bring you some tasty spring […]

    Reply
  2. 25 Carrot Creations says:
    March 21, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    […] Carrot Cake Dessert Shots from At the Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  3. 25 Awesomely Easy Cake Mix Recipes - Yellow Bliss Road says:
    October 3, 2013 at 10:07 AM

    […] Cookies from Simply Kierste 17 18 Best Chocolate Cake from Kevin and Amanda 19 Carrot Cake Dessert Shots from At the Picket Fence 20  Cool Whip Cake Mix Cookies from 24 Cottonwood Lane […]

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