Snapshots: Sweet Sensations

Way earlier this year, I was invited by the lovely Hazel of Tasty Pursuits to bake for Sweet Sensations, a charity event that benefits C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program). I was supposed to post a re-cap many moons ago, but let it slip as I was trying to play catch-up with work and help my parents move. It's more than a little late, but I gathered some shots from the day.

Strawberry mint mojitos

My grasshopper bars

Stephen Colluci, pastry chef extraordinaire, in action

Lillian with chef Stephen Colluci's brownies

​Savory and sweet scones by Jacqueline

Hazel's smoked Sumatra coffee cupcakes

Jacqueline handing out our cookbook door prizes

​Joanne's wasabi and ginger brownies

​Guests taking photos of Josephine's matcha pot de creme with black sesame glass

​Alejandra's springtime Italian rainbow cookies

​Fruit tarts with lavender lemon cream by Louise

​The Old Bowery Station

As a home baker (and to be honest, not even a frequent one), I had no idea how difficult it would be to cook in bulk. Part of it was my own fault: I had my heart set on these grasshopper bars, but had to bake the morning of since there was a wedding to attend the night before. It didn't allow for much trial and error (I discovered very last-minutely that the buttercream should be whipped in batches because a giant bowlful wouldn't aerate properly) or leave enough time for the bars to set thoroughly. Despite a few mini-meltdowns, I managed to send out the incredibly messy (but thankfully, still pretty tasty) squares and got to sample everyone else's delicious treats. I have so much respect for all the wonderful bloggers who participated—they not only produced some amazing sweets, but also kept their cool the entire time.