Starbucks Cake Pops

Thesis countdown: four days! It's finally inching up to the big day! What's a good thesis without tasty refreshments? Let me assure you, readers, I've picked out the cutest post-defense treats for all my guests.

The menu:
    Pink Lemonade
    Grapes
    Starbucks Cake Pops

 photo from here

 Jesse and my dad even made me a custom cake pop stand! Photos to come after the defense. I got a vintage 7-Up crate that all the drinks and food fit into perfectly. My mum isn't sure what I'm more excited about: cake pops or the actual defense.

 Custom cake pop stand made from a 1960s 7-Up soda box. Thanks Dad & Jesse!

Have you had the new petite pastries from Starbucks? They're all under 200 calories and perfect for parties and events (and thesis defenses, apparently). My cousin is using them at a baby shower she's planning, too. Here's an interview with the man who created the recipe and concept for Starbucks' three cake pop flavors from the Starbucks official blog.

Quinoa and Grilled Zucchini Recipe

photo from here

My thesis defense is a week from tomorrow, so I've been pulling some all-nighters to get everything perfect for the big day. I've been cooking big batches of food that will save for the week so that I don't have to spend time cooking while I continue my never-ending edits.

I made this quinoa salad last weekend and have been eating it for lunch all week--it's amazing. The recipe is from 101 Cookbooks and can be found here. The only change I made was using feta cheese instead of goat cheese, since I already had it in the house. Heidi always has new, creative recipes that only use wholesome ingredients--it's one of the first places I go to for new spins on healthy ingredients.

I think this is what Heaven looks like

 

How awesome is this photo from the Chicago International Housewares Show?! There are even some new colors (but where's the pink one you ask? See below). Spy on more awesome photos from the show on Cooking.com's Facebook fan page. I always tell my friends I'll know I've arrived at success when I have the pink KitchenAid mixer. :)

photos from here

Cheesecake

Happy birthday to my Daddy today! We started out with brunch at Painted Mountain Golf Resort with the whole family and then migrated back to my parents house for a Sunday full of board games (my favorite game, Apples to Apples) and birthday cake in the form of a homemade cheesecake.

My mum's cheesecake turned out beautiful! See the birthday candle? :)

Breakfast Pizza

Emily over at Cupcakes and Cashmere has me craving breakfast pizza (not the cold slices from last night's dinner). You could really add anything on top of a basic pizza crust and call it breakfast, but the fried eggs and chives looks divine from Smitten Kitchen's version of a breakfast pizza.

photo from Cupcakes and Chashmere

Cheesy Bacon Biscuits

Jesse loves bacon. Add bacon to any recipe and it's better tasting for him. I'm not the biggest bacon fan, but these pull apart biscuits sounds delish. Thanks to Picky Palate for the recipe!

I made these for breakfast with scrambled eggs. I had two--they are amazing.

Photo from Picky Palate

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons melted butter
One roll refrigerated biscuit dough, 8 count
6 thin slices fresh mozzarella, 1/4-inch thick
1 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Get cookin'

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and brush a 9-inch cast iron skillet with melted butter.

Unroll biscuits from can and place into bottom of skillet.

Top with slices of mozzarella cheese, bacon crumbles then shredded cheddar.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and biscuits are cooked through. Serve warm.

Update: Mine cooked for almost 25 minutes (and my oven typically cooks fast).