A Candy Land Breakfast

Merry Christmas my dear friends!  Welcome to The Little Yellow Corner Store's morning celebration of Christmas.  Breakfast at The Little Yellow Corner Store will be served in Candy Land at the kitchen island.  The island is dressed in pastel colors and decorated with a gingerbread cookie jar, candy cone beaded trees, large beaded lollipops for a centerpiece and finished with Mikasa dinnerware. 

There is something so nostalgic, magical  and inspiring about discovering a pastel colored candy gingerbread house cookie jar.  Who can stop from dreaming about the sugary confections like penny candy from the local candy store, the neighborhood bakery's cupcakes and mother's home-baked cookies from her own sweet-smelling kitchen.  The surge of childhood memories of Christmas past overwhelmed me and the creative energy began to take over as I considered the possibilities.  I knew I needed to purchase the cookie jar and design a fun and whimsical holiday breakfast on the kitchen island. 

I am even more excited to mention that with this post, we are once again honored to participate in a special Christmas Blog Hop with other tablescape enthusiasts and stylists.  Our dear friend, fellow tablescape lover and expert, Rita, from Panoply, is our accomplished host for this party which begins on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.  (Special thanks go to her for all of the wonderful work of organizing all of the blog hops throughout the year and, particularly, for devoting her time during the busy holiday season to coordinate the Christmas Hop.  As a result, we can all enjoy and share in the creativity, talent and spirit of the holiday and make our decorated homes welcoming for family and friends. )  So enjoy a cup of hot, creamy cocoa and a warm blanket and be our guest at each of the blogs listed below.  Be sure to take your time and linger a while at each blog link to get the greatest pleasure of holiday ideas and tips.  

Now it is time to enter the fantasy of Candy Land at The Little Yellow Corner Store.  

I was able to easily imagine this adorable cookie jar accompanying a playful and whimsical tablescape.  However, it could also be a perfect match for any Victorian style tablescape with plenty of creamy colored lace and grandmother's delicate china with a pink floral pattern.  I preferred a jovial or fanciful design to the table.  A feeling reflective of my childhood upbringing, especially around the holidays.  

Adding the homemade pastel foam bead styrofoam trees in various heights and the do-it-yourself rope and foam bead lollipops were part of the Candy Land theme and could use up supplies that were stored away for yet another needed purpose.  It is rather gratifying to know that something pleasing can come from using creative thought to craft items left from other projects.  

The quilted filler balls with their colorful polka dot pattern found a home with the multi-colored plaid runner on the island.  Their dots replicate the dots in the plate and the pastel foam beads on the tree, lollipop and filled ornament.

The lollipop looks almost good to eat.  

A hearty breakfast is in order consisting of scrambled eggs with onion and peppers and cheese, mini sausages, crispy bacon, toast and orange juice.  However, since it is Christmas, a very special holiday, I considered a dessert cake like the one I made last year.  

However, because it is breakfast, I wanted something related to breakfast, but would satisfy any sweet tooth.  I chose strawberry cream cheese crepes instead.  

The strawberry crepes are slightly sweet with a smooth and delicate cream cheese filling.  They go beautifully with a Maple Pecan Latte coffee decorated with cinnamon and served along side chocolate covered salted bell-shaped pretzels.  The flavor of this coffee which I found on Pinterest is the taste and smell of Christmas. A perfect morning treat even by itself and even more with the crepes.  For the recipe to the Maple Pecan Latte, visit this link:  Maple Pecan Latte.

The chocolate dipped bell pretzels give crunch and a salty contrast to the delicate flavors of the cinnamon and pecans in the latte.  The sprinkles make it colorful, festive and fit right in to the Candy Land theme.

A pair made in heaven (or in your own kitchen that has produced a latte above and beyond that of a coffee shop.)

And, of course, the maple pecan latte is the ideal accompaniment to the strawberry cheesecake crepes.

If you wish to make these delicious crepes yourself for the holidays or any other time, here is the recipe:

Strawberry Cheesecake Crepes

Crepe Batter:

1 C flour

2 eggs

2 tsp. sugar

pinch of salt

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 C milk

1 T butter for pan

Mix eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar together.  Add in flour and mix under it is no longer lumpy.  Let sit for 15-20 minutes while preparing the cheesecake filling.

After the batter has formed bubbles, melt butter is cast iron skillet and pour enough batter in hot skillet in the center and swirl the pan so the batter covers the entire bottom of the skillet.  Cook for two - three minutes and flip the crepe over to the other side.  (Cooking time will depend on the heat of your burner.  This process is rather quick, so check often.)  Remove crepe, store in glassware dish until ready to assemble.

Cheesecake Filling:

2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese

1/4 C whipping cream

2-3 T sugar**

2-3 T powdered sugar (depends on your taste)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Whip cream cheese and whipping cream together and add sugar, powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix until smooth and creamy.  Keep refrigerated until ready to assemble.

Strawberry Filling:

1 lb. fresh strawberries, washed/cleaned, hulled and cut into pieces

1/4 C - 1/2 C sugar (depending on sweetness of your strawberries or your taste)**

1 tsp lemon juice

pinch of salt

1/2 C water

Mix together in saucepan and cook until sugar dissolves.  Cook several minutes and add to this a thickening agent of:

1/2 water mixed with 2 T cornstarch

Cook strawberry filling several minutes until mixture turns from a pink color to a clear red color and it becomes a thicker consistency for a filling.

Remove from heat and let cool completely.

  

Assembling the Crepe:

Spread about 1-2 T of the cheesecake filling onto each crepe.  The amount of filling will depend on how large your crepe is too.  Add equal amount of strawberry filling and fold in sides.  Roll one end of the crepe to the other.  (The folded sides of the crepes before rolling help to keep the filling inside the crepe.)

Top the crepe with more strawberry filling and whipped cream (stabilized) and embellished with sprinkles.

To make stabilized whipped cream:

1 pint heavy whipping cream 

1-2 T sugar **

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 T instant vanilla pudding

Whip heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract and pudding until peak form.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

** Amount of sugar can be adjusted according to your taste.

Take pleasure in this creamy, delectable breakfast dessert. 

 It is sure to please everyone.

The magic of Candy Land didn't stop at the kitchen island.  The top of the hutch was fully decorated with some of my gingerbread collection, including two other gingerbread cookie jars, gingerbread boys and girls, trees and peppermint wrapped candy and peppermint ribbon trees.  I love the playful and spirited look of anything gingerbread.  For some, it brings to mind the many childhood memories of Christmas.  For me, it becomes a representation of the anticipation and excitement of the special holiday and the many dreams and wishes that every child may have at this time of year.

 

Thank you for visiting Candy Land at The Little Yellow Corner Store.  Now the biggest treat is the following bloggers and their links for some of the best Christmas tablescapes of the season.  Have a wonderful time visiting each of them.

Most of all, we all at The Little Yellow Corner Store wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.  God's blessings to all.  Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Debbee's Buzz - Unique Holiday Peacock Theme Tablescape

Home Is Where the Boat Is - 'Tis The Season for Plaid & Peppermint

Panoply - Nutcracker Classic Christmas Tablescape

Everyday Living - Old TIme Christmas

My Thrift Store Addiction - Enchanted Forest Christmas Tablescape

Thrifting Wonderland - A Hunt Breakfast Christmas Tablescape

Hyacinths for the Soul - Christmas Joy

From My Carolina Home - Vintage Christmas Tablescape

The Painted Apron - December Birthday Celebration

The Little Yellow Corner Store - A Candy Land Breakfast

Life and Linda - Plaid Tidings with Santa

Pandora's Box - Where the Treetops Glisten

Celebrate and Decorate - A Christmas Tablescape Wrapped Up for the Holiday

Me and My Captain - Snow Was Falling Gently on the Streets

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Dreaming of a Christmas White and Sweet

Dinner at Eight - Cozy, Bright and Classic - A Holiday Table

Red Cottage Chronicles - Cranberry and Gold Christmas Tablescape

The Bookish Dilettante - Christmas Sweets