With Easter just around the corner, what better time to get creative with chocolate in the kitchen?

Now Easter eggs are divine, but something a bit more rustic and homemade definitely fits the bill for me. With the current baking trends of cake pops and whoopie pies fresh from the oven, I figured I’d give them a shot for Easter and style them up all cutely while I’m at it.

The recipes for these were both from one of my favourite food porn sites, taste.com.au

The whoopie pies were originally from Super Food Ideas (where I used to work). I altered the original chocolate whoopie pie recipe slightly to make the inside a sour cherry-choc ganache – recipe below.

I used a whoopie pie baking tin (semi-circular indents in the pan) rather than a flat baking tray as the recipe suggests, so my whoopie pies came out as ovals! I trimmed each one so that the base was flat.

When I found myself with left-over cake bits, and left-over ganache I thought ‘when life gives you lemons – make lemonade!’ So after checking this recipe for Christmas cake pops I decided I had everything I needed to give cake pops a shot – recipe below.

In another side mention, I just love cooking with my iPad. It’s so easy to search through websites looking for exactly what you need, and any time those pesky questions crop up (‘what exactly are grits?’ ‘how much is an ounce?’) you can give it a quick google and you’re sorted. A quick spruik for one of my recent professional projects – I worked on the Super Food Ideas iPad app, which has this magnificent creation called ‘Cook Mode’ where each recipe is split into steps and ingredients and videos are available for each section – pure genius in the kitchen.

Don’t they look just darling all wrapped up in an egg carton? They tasted AMAZING as well, if I don’t say so myself ;)

Have a fantastic Easter and check back in next week for another post.

Sour cherry-choc ganache filling for Chocolate whoopie pies:

50g milk chocolate bits
100g dark chocolate bits
1/3 cup natural vanilla yoghurt
1/3 cup chopped glacé cherries
*Note: use left-over ganache for cake pops

1. Place chocolate and yoghurt in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring constantly until smooth.

2. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until thick and spreadable.

3. Beat with a fork to make fluffy. Sandwich 1-2 teaspoons of ganache between cakes. Set aside for 5 minutes to set. Dust cocoa over whoopie pies to serve.

Cake pops:

1. Cut whoopie pie bases to sit flat and crumble left-over cake. Stir through 1/2 cup icing sugar with cake crumbs.

2. Combine cake mix with left-over ganache (about 1/3-2 cups) by kneading with your hands (like dough). You should be able to roll the mixture into balls that keep their shape but are still sticky.

3. Place these small, Easter egg-shaped balls on a baking tray. Cover tray well I glad wrap and sit in freezer for 4 hours.

4. Melt one cup of chocolate bits and stir through one teaspoon of olive oil. *Note: you could use milk, dark or white chocolate. Try using different types of chocolate or white chocolate with a drop of food colouring for fun effects.

5. Dip the end of one stick with chocolate and skewer cake balls with lollipop sticks. Stand sticks in styrofoam or an upside-down egg carton to set for 5 minutes in the freezer.

6. Reheat melted chocolate and dip skewer cake balls in chocolate, turning gently in melted chocolate to coat thoroughly. Roll in sprinkles or curls or paint designs on with alternate melted chocolate and return to stand to set in the freezer. Tie bunches of three together with ribbon in a bow and stack with whoopie pies in an Easter carton for super cute packaging.

Enjoy!

I can’t believe it has been over two months since I was in New York. My, my, how time flies! I’m just about due for another visit I think ;)

In all seriousness though, it is incredibly difficult to keep up regular blogging with a full-time job – so much respect to all bloggers out there! It’s such a shame too because I absolutely love spending time here on The Nookbook and I have so many fantastic blog posts just sitting in waiting! Oh well, enough of that and on with the good stuf.

As you know, I absolutely love New York – who doesn’t? It is just such a dynamic, vibrant and electric city. There truly is something for everyone – including shopping. Here are just a few of the things I bought and the shops I loved in NYC. Next I’ll be putting up a post on some of the great things to do and places to eat in NYC.

Enjoy!

Tinsel Trading Co. is home to gorgeous notions and haberdashery items. 1 West 18th St. I bought a few little vintage bits and pieces for my sewing room and some fancy buttons for my fiance’s jacket.

Anthropologie in Chelsea always has brilliant, creative displays and products. While the price tag is often hefty, I have chanced upon some absolute bargains on occasion. I managed to pick up some bottles of glass glitter for a steal.

I got these fantastic bathroom products from NYC stores. Ricky’s pharmacy stocked this delicious ginger mint toothpaste in lovely vintage-inspired packaging. I also picked up this great Alice in Wonderland mug from a cafe near Columbia University – the Cheshire cat fades when hot to reveal a solitary grin! I can’t forget the gorgeous rose water from Santa Maria Novella.

And what did I find in the back of Ricky’s pharmacy? A fancy-dress mask and the Revolver Salon, where I got an edgy haircut and bright orange streaks put through my hair, like only available in NYC.

My absolute favourite pair of jeans EVER that I picked up at a vintage store in Camden in the UK finally died last year. I was devastated. While I could have bought a pair in Aus, I decided to start a tradition and this time buy them in NYC – at Earnest Sewn no less!

From the chosen pair to the cheerful packaging, this store has captured my heart.

Just a bit off the beaten track and you will find such vintage flea market and design delights as Chelsea antiques garage and Hell’s Kitchen flea market on the mainland, and Junk and The Future Perfect in Williamsburg.

I was SO lucky to get these great vintage copies of Alice in Wonderland from my Aunty for Christmas – they go so well with my other flea market finds.

I got this yummy Pumpkin Spice handmade soap and travel candle/massage oil from Dr. Sofskins and the gold can jar from The Future Perfect.

And one final footnote – this pop of colour in gift-wrapping from the Gap. Inexpensive, joyful and fun. Can’t wait to try this one out.

See you soon!

Download and print my
NYC winter ideas map guide
with location lists.

Thanks for reading The Nookbook.

Whenever I visit New York, I try to notice the small things. There is so much going on in New York, sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees.

I’ve put together a little collection of things noticed and things found – an aspect of New York that, for me, only came third time around. My first two trips, I think I was just so caught up in the atmosphere…this time I almost felt that little bit closer to what it must feel like to be a local.

Check back in next week because I will be writing up reviews of the great bars and restaurants I went to, as well as giving you the download on the funky shops I managed to get to AND the awesome things that I bought!

In New York at Christmas time everyone decks out their doorway in all sorts of festive display. I just loved the big gift idea below!

I’m not entirely sure why, but these bunches of street-side cabbages adorn the footpaths of New York at Christmas time. I noticed when I was visting for the first time, in February when it was snowing, that the cabbages survived all manner of weather conditions. Perhaps they are used because of their vivid colour in such harsh conditions?

Either way, some thrifty New Yorker has decided that the middle cabbage should be scrumped for their dinner!

After a long day of shpping, Ash and I decided to take a stroll through Central Park. At this time of the afternoon, with the cold, crisp air on your face, the sunset throughthe trees is just magical.

We stumbled upon an amazing string duo busking under cover in Central Park. They were of concert quality, honestly!

I noticed a Tiffany’s ad in a recent bridal magazine with a couple trotting up the stairs in the background, snow falling down, engagement ring box hidden secretly behind the man’s back.

It’s a shame that we didn’t get that magical snow on this trip, but that ad just so perfectly sums up our experience in New York – from Central Park to getting engaged.

Whilst in Central Park we found this heart-wrenching puppy memorial Christmas tree. What a sweet and organic idea to honour those little fella’s that bring so much joy to our lives.

To this day it devastates me to think of my childhood puppy Paddy. One day soon I’ll have a puppy all of my own to nurture and love.

I’m afraid I’m not really sure what these NYC subway critters are doing here, but these darling sculptures are just the unexpected pop of art that New York is famous for. I thought these guys were particularly cute – and maybe it’s just me and engagement-brain, but they look like they are very much in love :)

See you soon!

Download and print my
NYC winter ideas map guide
with location lists.

Thanks for reading The Nookbook.