OMG, I’m in love with these gorgeous number cakes. They are a wonderful alternative to the traditional birthday cake.  Today I am sharing both beautifully decorated number cakes as well as tips on how to make them.

Gorgeous Number Cakes

These two cakes are just a couple of Adi Klinghofe’s creations.   They are a work of art and so creative!    Be sure to follow her Instagram account for more inspiration.

via Adi Klinghofe

via Adi Klinghofe

Use Cupcakes to Form Your Number Cake

Another creative account to follow on Instagram is Sophia Mya Cupcakes.  I love her inspiration for using cupcakes to form the number.

via Sophia Mya Cupcakes

Number Cake Using a Mold

Lekue silicone cake molds are available in numbers 0-9.  You can create your own number combination for a special birthday party celebration.  An easy yet elegant way to decorate a cake is with a variety of berries.   I love the look of leaving the leaves on the strawberries.

Lekue Number 9 Cake Mold

Other Ways to Make a Number Cake

This infographic from Today’s Parent shows how you can make any number using an 8-inch round and 8-inch square cake pan.

via Today’s Parent

I found this picture floating around Pinterest, however the link attached to the photo was not a working site.  I wanted to share it because I feel it helps to see how they put the actual cake together to form the number.

Use Cupcakes to Form Number Cakes

via Cake Central

As you saw above, you can form cupcakes into the shape of your desired number.   It makes it easy to serve as no cutting is required.  The number 2 cake above is festive with the floral pattern on both the cake and the serving board.

In need of a large serving board?  You can use a large piece of cardboard or corrugated poster board and cover with foil.

The patterns below will help you decide how many cupcakes you will need to create the desired number.  Depending on the size you want, you can use either regular sized cupcakes or mini cupcakes.

via Novelty Birthday Cakes

Which cake was your favorite?

Party Decorations

Need decorations for a milestone birthday party?  Read my post Festive Party Decorations for a Milestone Birthday for some great tips.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers.  It’s a wonderful time of year to pass out treats to friends and family.  Following are seven great heart-shaped cookies to give you some inspiration.  I love the idea of putting just a few in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon to pass out as gifts.

Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles

Mallory from Chocolate with Grace says these Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies are super soft, decorated with a fluffy buttercream frosting.  They look delicious!

via Chocolate with Grace

No time to bake?  If you live near Orange Grove, Texas, you can order these beautiful cookies from Blue Sugar Cookie Co.

via Blue Sugar Cookie Co.

Heart Shaped Gingham Cookies

Elizabeth from Sugar Hero came up with this clever way to create Gingham decorated Valentine cookies.  She also has some fabulous ombre colored heart-shaped cookies.  Head on over to her blog to see them.

via Sugar Hero

Valentine Cookies with a Message

I love these cookies with a message, reminiscent of the Valentine candies we had as children.

via The Cookie Cutter Company

Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Valentine Cookies

If your loved one craves peanut butter cookies, these heart-shaped ones from The Semisweet Sisters are easy to make and no decorating required.  Holly and Katie have a step-by-step tutorial on how to make these.

via The Semisweet Sisters

Festive Heart-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats

Rice Krispie treats are delicious regardless of your age!  These heart-shaped treats from Click Cut Create look great in cellophane bags that you can find at Michaels.

Visit these other posts for more Valentine inspiration including more cookies, desserts and ideas for a Valentine Party.  Have fun creating!

Creative Valentine Sugar Cookies

Sweet Treats for Valentine’s Day Gifts

Valentine’s Day Menu Suggestions

Elegant Valentine’s Day Party Decorations

Valentine’s Day Desserts

Host a Valentine Party & Skip the Hectic Restaurant Scene

I made the most delicious Sausage and Lentil Soup.  There is something about making soup that gives me a creative license to experiment.  Since it was cold and snowing, I didn’t want to venture out to the grocery store so it was more of a day to raid my fridge and pantry.

Pantry Staples for Soup

I always have chicken broth or stock on hand; either homemade in the freezer or store bought in my pantry.  I’m rarely without the famous trio of onions, celery and carrots.  Lentils and rice are also pantry staples.

I just so happened to have some Johnson Andouille Sausage that I picked up last week so I decided to make a spicy sausage and lentil soup.  It was time to get creative and I loved the results.

One of my favorite things about broth based soups is that they freeze well.  We will enjoy a bowl of soup for dinner tonight and I will freeze the rest in individual portions.  It will make a great lunch on a cold winter day.

Hearty Sausage & Lentil Soup

 

Print

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

60 mins

Total time

1 hour 20 mins

 

This hearty Sausage & Lentil Soup is perfect for a cold winter day. Serve with some warm crusty bread. Added perk – Leftovers freeze well!

Author: OMG Lifestyle Blog

Recipe type: Soup

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• light olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup lentils
• ½ cup white rice, rinsed
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 lb. Johnsonville Andouille Smoked Sausage, sliced

Instructions

1. Sauté onions and celery in olive oil until soft. Add grated carrots and garlic and sauté for two minutes. Add spices and sauté for one minute.
2. Add rice, lentils and broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Add sausage and continue to cook until lentils and rice are done, approximately 20 more minutes.
4. Taste and adjust salt, pepper and crushed red pepper to taste. You may also need to add some broth or water. Remove bay leaves.
5. Serve with warm crusty bread.

3.5.3229

Other Soup Recipes Perfect for Winter

Following are some links to my other soup recipes.  Enjoy!

Mom’s Healing Chicken Soup Recipe

The Best Lebanese Lentil Soup

Pasta Fagioli

Boston Clam Chowder

Mom’s Boston Fish Chowder