Thursday, November 7, 2013

Of Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Pies ( and Bourbon Balls!)



So, Fall finally “fell” in Arkansas! Time to start planning for Thanksgiving, a mere three (3!) weeks away. For me it means the purchase of a new piece of equipment: a food processor. I’ve borrowed one in the past and learned firsthand the wonders of this machine. The better to make Bourbon Balls and pie crusts, my dears!

The model I chose is the Black & Decker FP1600B 8-Cup Food Processor and I think it will do just fine. I have heard from my baker friend, Rus (who also happens to be the maker of the best biscotti ever) and he swears by it so that is endorsement enough for me! It will also be a huge help with pie crusts.


Speaking of pies, here is what Katie Connally Confections will have for Thanksgiving:

Pumpkin Pie - $15.00

Sweet Potato Pie - $15.00

Pecan Pie - $20.00

Bourbon Balls - $12.50 per pound

This is the South, so I'm pretty sure everybody already knows what Bourbon Balls are, but just in case..."a Bourbon Ball is a bite-size confection that incorporates bourbon." A very simple explanation for very delicious treat! Most Bourbon Balls are just rolled in confectioner's sugar, but not mine. I decided to "up the game", so be ready!




By the way, I will have samples of them at this Saturday's Hillcrest Farmers Market (for grownups only!), 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd., right in front of the Pulaski Heights Baptist Church. :) 

I will need your orders no later than 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21st, one week before Turkey Day. Don't be left out! You can reach me via: facebook.com/katieconnallyconfections, or khrynna@yahoo.com, or 501-773-2762 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Wishing a happy Autumn to us all,

Katie Connally's grandaughter


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Relationships & The Lessons They Offer

 
 
 


Looking forward to the holidays with my family and I'm sure you all are, too. Especially Thanksgiving; No gifts or "mad dash" shopping -- just food, family and fun. When there is so much laughing going on you hate to leave the room even for a second! I'm thankful to be in a family that loves, helps and appreciates each other.

I lost a friendship earlier this year, although I suppose she wasn’t really a “friend”.  Like you, I’m used to friends that see you through the hard times as well as the good.  You support them and they support you.  You encourage their endeavors and they encourage yours. You don’t keep score.  You let them tell you about their cute nieces or nephews; their cute cats and/or dogs; their cray-cray job and their cray-cray spouse.  Where does she want to shop?  Okay, you are there and will pick her up.  She wants to eat at your least favorite restaurant?  Okay, you will go there because your friend loves it.  She wants to tell you wayyyyyyy too much intimate info about her relationship with her spouse? Okay then, you will listen (even though you have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER TO INFINITY AND BEYOND asked or told her such things).  You will find a way to deal with it because it might help her to get it off her chest, although you can no longer look at him the same way.      

Then the day comes when you apparently ask her to listen/help one time too many, and you don’t hear from the “friend” again.  No return phone messages or texts.  No note, just nothingness.  As if you never existed. 

At first this could have you simmering for a minute.  But after all the reviewing and rewinding and rehashing of everything in your mind, what could come after a few days is something you never expected…relief.  The phone calls that had begun to feel like duty rather than fun don’t need to be placed any more.   The suppressed irritation at being interrupted mid-story yet again (and again and again and again)?  Gone. Huh.  Imagine that.   Sometimes we tend to forget about/submerge ourselves for the sake of a friend, which we should never allow. When we make that mistake we don’t realize the clock is ticking on that relationship -- until it goes “boom”. 

What to do?  Take a breath and remember: Every event in our lives is an opportunity to learn how to do something the wrong way or the right way.  And keep doing it the "right way"!

Let’s enjoy and celebrate all the true and genuine and wonderful relationships we have, family and otherwise, as we go into this year’s holiday season. 

 

Wishing you bubbles and blossoms,

 Katie Connally’s granddaughter
 
p.s. info on holiday pie ordering in the next blog update :)

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013


September 11, 2013


 








 


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Sweet September







 
Welcome, blessed September!  With your cool days and even cooler nights, you are the dream realized – the very thought of you is what I clung to during June and July.  So happy to see you again!

Are we ready for another contest?? Of course!  This time the winner will receive a dozen Amaretto Brownies and…your very own brand new BabyCakes Non-Stick Cake Pop Maker! These little things are so popular I felt sure the winner would enjoy having his/her own for the home.  I chose the purple model in honor of Marie Schrader of “Breaking Bad” fame (http://www.amctv.com/shows/breaking-bad).  Poor girl, hope she gets back in her purple love haze very soon!





It comes with:

Metal cooking rack

Stand

Lifting fork

75 paper sticks

BabyCakes uses most any cake recipe, and I will include a plastic bottle for your batter which will make filling the sections a snap.  Here’s what to do:

“Like” Katie Connally Confections on facebook https://www.facebook.com/katieconnallyconfections?ref=hl)

“Like” the contest and photo

Share the contest & photo on your page

Message me so I can see the share on your page

That’s it!

So, jump in on the “Welcome, September” fun and like and share for an opportunity to win.  Thanks for all the wonderful support from my customers.  I am delighted to know you all and look forward to seeing you at the next markets.

Happy Autumn to us all,

 

Katie Connally’s granddaughter

Friday, July 26, 2013

The Fruits Of My Labor

I love getting ready for our town's farmers markets. Tomorrow is the Hillcrest Farmers Market and the baking went smoothly (yay).  A sampling is below.


Key Lime Rum Baby Bundts


Orange Twist (no alcohol)


Lemon Twist (no alcohol)

I forgot to take photos of the new "Mocha Rum" baby bundts but they look pretty awesome, too!  Come see us from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. every Saturday.

Have a great night!

Katie Connally's granddaughter

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Summer Giveaway for July and Schedule Update :)


Just a reminder!  Love a summer giveaway?  Win a lovely Chocolate Whiskey Cake for your dessert table.  Here’s how it works:
1.  Go to my Katie Connally facebook.com page and “like” it:

2. “Like” the photo

3.  Share the giveaway on your page

4.  Put your name in the comment line

That’s it!  The happy winner’s name will be drawn on August 9, 2013.  If you are local you can pick it up at the Hillcrest Farmers Market on Saturday, August 10.  If you live outside of Little Rock I will mail it to you.  Simple, delicious & fun! Tell your friends they can participate, too.  The more the merrier!

We will be on vacation this week and will not be at the Hillcrest Farmers Market on August 3rd, but you can place an order through facebook or by phone.


Have a fabulous day weekend!
Katie Connally’s grandaughter


Sunday, July 21, 2013

A Summer's Morning in Arkansas


I'm a New England girl but I love an Arkansas sky and this morning's was particularly beautiful...









Have a great Sunday!

Katie Connally's granddaughter


Friday, July 19, 2013

Amaretto ~ A Love Story

 
 



So, the story (sorta) goes like this per Wikipedia:  Bernardino Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci's pupils, was chosen to paint a sanctuary with frescoes and needed a female model.  Luini found his inspiration in a young widowed innkeeper, who became his model and in most versions of the story, his lover (swoon!).  The woman wished to give him a gift, so she steeped apricot kernels in brandy and presented the resulting concoction to a touched Luini.  Pretty romantic, yes? Gifts are great, but girlfriend should have started mass producing the stuff and then opened a chain of her inns.  But, that’s just me.  Anyway, this delicious Italian libation gets our vote and judging by the way our new Amaretto Brownies sold out on Tuesday at the Westover Hills Farmers Market, we are not alone.  Amaretto has a delicate scent and flavor that pairs well with the chocolate, making it a natural choice for brownies and pound cakes.  We will have the Amaretto Brownies starting this Saturday at the Hillcrest Farmers Market, 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon, 2200 Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock, and on Tuesdays at the Westover Hills Farmers Market @ N. McKinley & Richard B. Hardie Drive (off Kavanaugh).  Haven’t been to either of our farmers markets yet?  It’s time!  Come enjoy the summer’s high of tomatoes, onions, meats, homemade jellies, scone mixes, fresh berries and more. 

It is only July (and hot, hot, HOT!), but since the wonderful Hillcrest Farmers Market runs year round I have begun planning for the fall and winter months.  Here is a little of what the holiday menu will look like for November and December:

Glazed Cranberry Lemon Pound Cake (no alcohol)

Bourbon Balls (2 pound minimum)

Holiday Mocha Rum Cake w/Peppermint Candy Shavings

Hazelnut Bourbon Torte

Gingerbread Cake (no alcohol)

Bourbon Pecan Pie & Tarts

Buttermilk Bourbon Pie (similar to Chess Pie)

Yes, it is early to think about these things, but it’s a nice reminder that it will not be this hot forever ;) 

Stay cool!

 

Katie Connally’s granddaughter 


Thursday, July 11, 2013

If You Can’t Stand The Heat…





Okay -- I really, really, REALLY don’t like the heat thing in the south…this is what I would change about Arkansas. Growing up in the NYC/Connecticut area, I thought when the thermometer hit 90 degrees we were suffering from a heat wave. Little did I know what the future held for me, weather-wise. Ha! But Arkansas has so many wonderful qualities that make living here in June, July and August worthwhile: The friendly people, the Hillcrest & Westover Hills Farmers Markets (of course!), the lower cost of living, the lack of road rage (not to give anyone any ideas) and the beauty of the state. So it’s hot for a few months…considering what we have here, it is an easy trade-off. Plus, I really can't get out of the kitchen!

Speaking of what we have here in Little Rock, Arkansas: Two of the finest farmers markets around! Westover Hills Presbyterian Church holds theirs every Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the corner of N. McKinley and Richard B. Hardie drive. Fresh fruits; vegetables; meats; condiments; and my distinctive whiskey and rum baked goods. Free parking and the timing is great since you can stop by on your way home and pick up what you need for dinner.

On Saturday mornings head to the Hillcrest Farmers Market in front of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church at 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd. The list of delicious items at this market goes on and on, and you can count on having a great time choosing! Cheeses, meats, veggies, fruits, soaps, biscotti, my baked goods and more. And plenty of free parking. The summer hours are 7:00 a.m. –12:00 Noon, and things sell out fast so be prepared!

Keep in mind how full sized Chocolate Whiskey Cakes and/or Butter Rum Cakes are a great option for the groom’s cakes at your wedding and/or at your bridal shower. And the Baby Bundts make great favors for your guests. Other flavors are available so call me to set an appointment!

My items for Saturday, July 13 will be Baby Bundt Cakes in Butter Rum, Chocolate Whiskey, Key Lime Rum, Peach Schnapps, Lemon Twist (no alcohol), Blackberry Schnapps and brownies.

Cakes will be sold in ½ sizes: Peach Schnapps Pound Cake & Butter Rum.

To place an order you have three options:


Call: 501-773-2762


Pick up is usually at either farmers market, but delivery arrangements can be made. :)

Reminder: I do make full size cakes & baby bundts without alcohol, so don’t be shy about requesting them.

See you Saturday morning!

 

Katie Connally’s granddaughter

 

Friday, July 5, 2013

What Dreams May Come...

What Dreams May Come...





Two years ago if anyone had told me I would have my own
cake company I would have thought they were two bricks 
shy of a load and that their pilot light had been blown out. 
But lo and behold, here am I, with a wonderful & growing 
cake company that received a great review in the Arkansas 
Times.  Read about it here and please come try everything for yourself: 

http://www.arktimes.com/EatArkansas/archives/2013/06/29/cakes-with-a-kick-at-katie-connally-confections



As any baker will tell you, the process of baking is a heart 
and soul thing.  Your full attention is required and if you 
have all your ingredients beforehand it is truly a peaceful 
event.  Here’s what can happen when you DON’T pay 
attention:  baking soda overload, and there is no turning 
back when this happens.  No remedy, no way to alter my 
course or turn back the hands time…the batter was simply 
done for.  Nowadays, when you walk in my kitchen and you 
hear me counting out loud, you’ll know why!  Live, learn, 
grow.       


Speaking of growing, the next phase of growth will be a double oven, as pictured above.   I can just see it now: baking two dozen baby Bundt cakes at a time…I will be floating in the clouds and smiling like crazy!  Don’t know how or when I’ll have it, but I know it is in my near future. 


Two new Baby Bundt flavors coming to the Hillcrest 
Farmers Market starting tomorrow morning, and the 
Westover Hill Farmers Market on Tuesday: Peach Schnapps 
and Blackberry Schnapps.  Judging by the reactions of my 
taste testing staff, they will be a hit.  One way to eat them during the hot summer days:  Put them in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving with your favorite coffee.  So, so good.  

Have a great weekend, stay safe and spend your time with 
quality people.  You’ll always be glad you did.



All the best,


Katie Connally’s granddaughter   

Monday, July 1, 2013

Happy Almost 4th of July!




Happy Almost 4th of July!

How will you celebrate Independence Day?  With friends and family? That’s the plan at my house and we are going on our first visit to the Clinton Library here in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Yes, I have been remiss in getting this place on my radar, but will be all set come this Thursday.  And it is FREE on July 4th , so everyone should make it there!  

Today’s shopping: bourbon, rum and peach schnapps.  Who has a better part time job than me, I ask you?!?!  The better to make delicious baby bundt cakes, my dears.  Something that made me smile BIG TIME is the review of Katie Connally Confections by Michael Roberts of the Arkansas Times.  He thinks pretty highly of our delightful cakes and made it known!  

Here is the link: http://www.arktimes.com/EatArkansas/archives/2013/06/29/cakes-with-a-kick-at-katie-connally-confections Let me know what you think.   And some thoughtful person put Katie Connally Confections on Urbanspoon: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/200/1761134/restaurant/Katie-Connally-Confections-Little-Rock.  I would love it if everyone gave it a "thumbs up"!  Follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katieconnallyconfections?ref=hl

I have a new recipe courtesy of our wonderful friends at  www.southernliving.com:   "Peach Schnapps Pound Cake".   Absolutely delicious & perfect for the summer weather!  Slice it and top with fresh peaches and whipped cream for an incredible dessert.  This recipe takes peach shortcake to a sophisticated level.  A must have for your party/picnic.  

Whatever you choose to do on the 4th, remember to give thanks for our freedom, which is not free.  

Until next time,
 
Katie Connally's granddaughter

Thursday, May 23, 2013



BACARDI® Gold Rum, how delicioso thou art!  A perfect blend of vanilla and a balance of walnuts and spices on a subtle background of oak.  Ohhhh, how good my house smells when I am baking my “Butter Rum” cake with your wonderful, golden self! 

Here’s our liquor history lesson for today:

Did you know we have Bacardi to thank for the world famous “Daiquri” cocktail? Yup, one of Barcardi’s mining engineers came up with in 1898.   Let us raise a glass to Jennings Stockton Cox!   

And the “Mojito”?  It is based on the 16th century drink known as the “Draque”.  It was introduced by Richard Drake who served under Sir Francis Drake (no relation).   No one is sure where the name “Mojito” originated.  One school of thought is it comes from the Spanish verb “mojar”, meaning “to wet”, as in quenching the thirst in the Caribben heat.  I like that one!  Whatever the real story is, Bacardi Gold makes an incredible Butter Rum Cake!  Visit them at www.barcardi.com for more info on their terrific products. 

Come see us at the Hillcrest Farmers Market on Saturday mornings for our fabulous rum and whiskey cakes.  This week’s whole cake and Baby Bundt flavors are:

Butter Rum

Glazed Key Lime Rum

Glazed Orange Rum

Chocolate Whiskey

Any one of them would be perfect for your Memorial Day gathering as you honor our country's service men and women.  Why bake when we’ve done it for you???  The address is: 2200 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, Arkansas, in front of the Pulaski Heights Baptist Church.  See you there!

 

A safe and happy holiday weekend to all!

 
Katie Connally’s granddaughter


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Thursday, May 9, 2013





So, this Saturday will be my first ever Comic Con event!  In addition to being at the Hillcrest Farmers Market in the morning, we will be in Sherwood, Arkansas, in the afternoon and I’m told I can look forward to seeing Chewbacca (how funny is that photo, courtesy of funnyjunk.com!), storm rangers, Spock, Kirk, and all sorts of characters.  Should be a fun event with lots of people wanting our “Baby Bundt” cakes !  Since there will be so many children attending our flavors will be Chocolate and Glazed Lemon Twist.  Yum!
 
 

Are you ready for Mother’s Day?  I have told my family exactly what I want: Jeffrey Archer’s “Clifton Chronicles” book series in hard copy – “Only Time Will Tell”, which I’ve read; “The Sins of the Father” and the third installment “Best Kept Secret” .  Mr. Archer is an outstanding writer and I have enjoyed every one of his books.  This set will keep me in reader’s heaven for weeks!  If you have not read any of Jeffrey Archer’s work I suggest you start with “Kane and Abel”.  You, too will be hooked!  Here is his site: http://www.jeffreyarcher.co.uk, and of course his books are on www.amazon.com. 

Now, down to business: To make sure you get a Mother’s Day cake on Saturday you can place an order with me. Just send me an email: katieconnallyconfections@littlerockwoman.com and I will send you an invoice that you pay through PayPal using any credit/debit card you have. I will bring your order with me to the Hillcrest Farmers Market, 2200 Kavanaugh Boulevard. Easy, delicious and your Mom will love it!

 

I already ran this but now that we are closer to the time I thought it would bear repeating:

In what way will you celebrate your Mom… gifts or flowers? Brunch or dinner or lunch? A delicious Katie Connally Confections rum cake or chocolate whiskey cake? Okay, we do want all of that stuff (especially the cakes)! As a mother myself I can tell you of a few sure things some of us want, and that includes YOUR TIME. To talk, to laugh, to remember. We want you to know and love and respect God. We want you to pray. We want your smile, your trust and most of all, your safety and happiness. We want you to brush your teeth and wash your hands, no matter how old you are. We want you to eat well and be well. We want you to remember everyone makes mistakes (including moms) and that whatever mistake is buggin’ you right now, you were NOT the first person to make it. One hundred years from now there will be all new people occupying this Earth, so keep your perspective on mistakes reasonable. We want you to know your worth, which is priceless. We want you to know the past is called the past because it is past, so don’t let anyone dredge it up.

 

Yes, we saw you hide your peas under the mashed potatoes.

 

Yes, we know the dog did not do it. Neither did the cat.

 

Yes, we saw the scratch/dent/chip on the car and chose not to say anything.

 

Yes, we know when you said you were sleeping over at a friend’s house but “just decided to come home super early”, you were only covering your tracks about breaking curfew. I mean, come on. Be free with graciousness, as you can clearly see we were/are with you.

 

We want you to remember the history of your marvelous country and that freedom is not free. We want you to remember why Memorial Day is much more than a 3-day weekend. We want you to be careful but not afraid. We want you to be bold but not reckless. We want you to be thrifty but not cheap. We want you to remember quality and quantity are not the same.

 

We have already taught you these things and much, much more, but as "mother" we get to repeat them. Because we said so.

 

Most of all, we want you to know we love you.

Have an awesome Mother’s Day!

 

Katie Connally’s granddaughter

Monday, May 6, 2013






To market, to market to buy a…Chocolate Whiskey Cake! So, on Saturday at the Hillcrest Farmers Market (HFC) here in Little Rock the Baby Bundt Cakes were flying off the table. Loved it! The full size cakes did great as well. It was the official opening of the market for the season and the special hours were 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., but we sold out by 10:30 a.m.  Wow!  High class problem, people --we should all have such problems all the time! Anyhoo, time to start baking five days a week instead of three. The address for HFC is 2200 Kavanaugh Boulevard, a very pretty area for shopping and walking.

I’ve decided it is time to go Defcon 4 with the business and have started a campaign on gofundme.com. I will use the funds for: a Website; more equipment; trademarking names; ingredients; advertising; and the initial setup fees for credit card acceptance on location. It is easy to use PayPal for online ordering, but in person at the markets is another matter. And I do plan to sell at other local markets in addition to HFC. So, you can help me grow and here’s how: The campaign is on my facebook page and if you will donate/share it with your friends and they donate/share it with their friends we can go global in no time! And every donation gets yummy treats in return, so it is win-win. I appreciate all the support and I look forward to expanding Katie Connally Confections and the home baked aspect which is what makes it worthwhile.

REMINDER: Sunday, May 12th is Mother’s Day (yay!) and you need a gift, flowers and a full size cake, and you know I’ve got your back on the cake!  I will be at the HFC this Saturday with full size cakes and the Baby Bundts.

 

This Saturday’s Baby Bundt flavors will be:

Glazed Key Lime Rum

Chocolate Whiskey

Glazed Lemon Twist (no alcohol)

 

The whole Bundt Cake flavors will be:

Golden Butter Rum

Chocolate Whiskey

To make sure you get a Mother’s Day cake on Saturday you can place an order with me.  Until I have a website (I know, I know!) just send me an email: katieconnallyconfections@littlerockwoman.com and I will send you an invoice that you pay through PayPal using any credit/debit card you have.  I will bring your order with me to the Hillcrest Farmers Market, 2200 Kavanaugh Boulevard.  Easy, delicious and your Mom will love it! 

Peace and chocolate forever,

Katie Connally’s granddaughter