CRANBERRY APPLE CRISP

Use Apples or Your Favorite Fruit to Whip Up this Heartwarming Dessert

text and photography by Tiffany Scales, Food Contributor

Hi there! Can you believe Christmas is only a few days away?? Are you ready? Is your menu planned? Just in case you haven't thought of a dessert, I've got one for you. I don't know about you, but I LOVE baked apples. They just warm my heart and remind me so much of the holidays. This apple crisp is one of my favorite go-to recipes when I am in need of a baked apple. Crisps are simply a layer of baked fruit with a buttery, crispy topping. They are really easy to make and you can use any fruit you like. Apples just happen to be my favorite...

Here is what you need and what to do:
8 granny smith apples
1 teaspoon of lemon zest
1 tablespoon of orange zest
Juice of one lemon
Juice of 1/2 an orange
1/2 cup of dried cranberries
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg


For the topping:
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 granulated sugar
3/4 cup of light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
1 cup of old-fashioned oats
2 sticks of cold unsalted butter, diced

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Peel, core and cut the apples into large chunks. Good conversation or music makes that process go by much faster. :) Place the fruit in a large bowl and add the zests, juices, cranberries, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir everything together. Pour the mixture into a 13x9x2 dish and set aside. Combine all of the ingredients for the topping into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed for about 1 minute until the mixture is in large crumbles. Sprinkle the mixture over the fruit. Be sure to completely cover the fruit.

Place the dish on a sheet tray and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour. The topping should be browned and the filling should be bubbling on the sides of the dish. Gosh, my mouth just started watering...

I love to serve it warm with cinnamon whipped cream.

For the whipped cream:
Whip 1 cup of cold heavy whipping cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Vanilla ice cream would work perfectly, too.

Let me know if you have any questions and/or if you decide to make it! 

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten

LAST MINUTE HALLOWEEN TREATS

Are you one of those Moms who's always rushing at the last minute to pull together treats for your kids' class?

Hand raised.

Check out Brittany from One Charming Party's super quick and uber cute idea for decorating Halloween cupcakes:

Easy shopping list:


One dozen chocolate-frosted cupcakes
1 Bag of Oreo Cookies
2 Boxes of Reese's Pieces (because you will eat a box while you work, right?)
1 Package of Cute Napkins
*Did I miss anything? This seems TOO easy.*

Shazam! Your kids' teachers will think you are a party pro.

Brittany actually created an entire food station and provides instructions on how to recreate her party.  If we aren't up on our game, she makes Last Minute Moms like us look bad.  At least she's generous and shares her secrets.

In addition to Halloween ideas, her site is filled to the brim with the most adorable ideas for kids parties and entertaining. Can you tell I spent way too much time over there this morning?

What are your plans for Halloween? Please, indulge me.

BUCKHEAD BOTTLE BAR - ALL DAY COCKTAIL HOUSE

Last night, Marian and I met up to check out Buckhead's newest dining experience, Buckhead Bottle Bar. The proprietors A.D. Allushi, Chef Ian Winslade, and Zaza Pachulia (of the Atlanta Hawks) were on hand to receive guests for the restaurant's special bloggers dinner. 

 

Located on the corner of East Paces Ferry Road and Bolling Way, this urban loft meets modern dining experience was both tantalizing to the my eyes and taste buds! Designed by Patti Krohngold of Art Mix, the space boasts four bars, a spacious patio, and rooftop deck.

 

The food menu is divided into three main categories Small Bites, Bigger Bites, and Best Between Buns. The beverage menu offers an expansive wine selection and featured cocktails.

I started my evening with the White Peach Cosmo a well appointed cocktail of Ketel One, white peach, and fresh lime juice.  I moved on with the Grilled Italian Bread Pizza from the Small Bites section. The pizza, with its light flaky crust, was tasty and layered with a tangy tomato sauce and fresh cheese. For the main course, I selected the Lamb Burger with Goat Cheese and Chow Chow from the Best Between Buns section. The lamb was grilled to perfection, the goat cheese complemented the burger's flavor adding just the right amount of zest.  I finished my meal with the most decadent milkshake I'd ever had.  The Chocolate Hazelnut Milkshake was unforgettable. Hopefully the dark chocolate will serve more as an antioxidant and less of enemy to my thighs.

I'm always looking for great spots to dine Atlanta visitors or somewhere to meet with clients. Buckhead Bottle Bar seems to cater to the casual crowd and serves yummy bites and cocktails all day and night. Stop by and see for yourself, cheers!

HOW TO GET MARRIED AT THE RITZ-CARLTON

Last Sunday, StudioWed Atlanta welcomed engaged couples, vendors, and suppliers across the Southeast to The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead for "The Wedding Experience." The event consisted of workshops and gorgeous displays all designed to inspire and to assist excited couples in planning the wedding of their dreams.
The Wedding Box, Andrea Taylor Studio, and I Do Linens were among the many talented wedding vendors, with Tara Guerard present as the special guest speaker and signing copies of her latest book, Weddings.



Vendors such as Chaos Couture Bridal, Erica Angeline, and Stella & Dot displayed exquisite custom gowns and jewelry that would make any bride feel like queen for the day.

Beautiful wedding stationary/correspondence on display.

 A delectable lunch was served along with a delightful display of sweet confections all catered by the 

Ritz Carlton.

 

from top left: Michelle Gainey (Lemiga Events) and Sharon (Sweet Sensations)
bottom left: Maria Howell and Brad Large of Livin' Large (Living Large distributed an energetic DVD that left me longing for more of their groovin' lyrics and sounds. *Sidenote* Don't miss a chance to check them out at Sambuca on Monday nights (7:00-11:00pm) before you book.)
bottom right: Melanie Carter (Lucky and Lovely), Stefanie Dunn (The Wedding Box), and Tammie Reed (Talking with Tami)

Meet me back tomorrow to see the most amazing table displays designed by Lemiga Events and the inspiration behind the designs. I hope you've enjoyed my Sunday Afternoon in pictures!