What you must know about this cake is that it is just like a french macaron, but in cake form. You have a chocolate cake base and caramel meringue buttercream frosting that to me imitates a macaron cookie. It’s loaded with light and fluffy whipped egg whites, sugar, butter, bourbon caramel goodness and so much milk chocolate.
Maybe you guys haven’t noticed, but I have been semi holding out on you.
2/3cupfull fat canned coconut milkmay use heavy cream
2tablespoonsbourbonoptional
1/2teaspoonflaky sea salt
MILK CHOCOLATE MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM
6eggs whites
1cupgranulated sugar
3sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted buttersoftened
1/2cupbourbon caramelfrom recipe above
6 1/2ouncesmilk chocolatemelted + cooled slightly
1/4cupunsweetened cocoa powder
DARK CHOCOLATE GANACHE
2 1/2ouncesdark chocolatechopped
1/4full fat canned coconut milk or heavy cream
2tablespoonsKahluamay sub 1 tablespoon vanilla
INSTRUCTIONS
CAKE
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 8-inch (or 9 inch) round cake pans, or line with parchment paper, then butter/spray with cooking spray.
In a medium size bowl combine the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand held mixer) beat together the eggs, buttermilk, greek yogurt, canola oil and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low until there are no longer any clumps of flour. Add the hot coffee and mix until combined. Batter should be pourable, but not super thin.
Pour the batter among the 3 cake pans and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are just set and no longer wiggly in the center. Remove and let cool five minutes, then run a knife around the edges of the pan. Grab 3 large flat plates, line them with wax or parchment paper and invert the cakes onto the paper lined plates. Cover and let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
BOURBON CARAMEL
In a dry, large deep heavy skillet cook the sugar over moderately high heat, stirring constantly with a heat proof rubber spatula until the sugar is melted and turns a deep golden caramel, remove the skillet from the heat and add the chunks of butter one by one, whisk until combined. The caramel will bubble, this is ok. Now slowly add the cream and then whisk until combined. Return the pot to the heat and, cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring until the caramel has thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat, if using, add the bourbon + a pinch of salt. Set the caramel aside to cool.
MILK CHOCOLATE MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM
Bring a large pot (big enough to place your mixing bowl over top) of water to boil. In the bowl of a stand mixer whisk the egg whites and sugar together. Place the bowl of the stand mixer over the pot of boiling water and cook, stirring often, until the egg whites are very warm to the touch and the sugar has dissolved, remove the bowl from the heat. Whip the egg whites on high until stiff peaks form. Allow the egg whites to cool before continuing.
Once cool, add the butter, caramel, melted milk chocolate and cocoa powder. Beat until combined and fluffy.
TO ASSEMBLE
Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a plate or cake stand. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top. Finally, add the third cake layer and frost the top and sides of the cake. Place the cake in the fridge to chill for at least an hour.
Meanwhile, make the ganache. In a microwave safe bowl add the chocolate and cream. Microwave on high for 30 second intervals, stirring between each until melted. Stir in the Kahlua. Allow the ganache to cool 10 minutes, and then pour the ganache onto the middle of the chilled cake and spread to just the sides, allow the ganache to drip down the sides of the cake. Place the cake in the fridge, preferably overnight, but at least 1 hour. Allow the cake to sit at room temp for at least an hour before serving. If desired, drizzle the cake with any remaining caramel and decorate with [homemade | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/frozen-hot-fudge-peanut-butter-swirled-pretzel-macarons/] or store bought macarons. Can also decorate with sprinkles, chocolate curls or whatever your heart desires.
Nothing says “beach getaway” like slipping on a bikini–the unofficial uniform for all things sun, surf and sand. While many people are concerned with summer suit picks, we know the best time to go suit shopping is in the winter, when tropical travel is at its prime. We talked to Harper’s BAZAAR senior digital editor Chrissy Rutherford, who’s based in New York but comes from Jamaican stock, to find out what suits we need to be seen in during 2017.
I like collecting swimsuits for different locations—when you’re at a northeast beach you want to be more preppy, but when you’re heading to an island getaway you want something that feels more natural, like a crochet bikini.
No one makes a more fashion-forward suit than Lisa Marie Fernandez.
Every swim season is marked by different trends. For 2017, that includes geometric shapes, including cut-outs; fashion-forward touches, like one-shoulder, open-back and multiple straps; well-made materials–none of that see-through, wear-thin fabric will do anymore; and locale-appropriate prints and styles.
Bikini by Solid and Striped
Eres is a classic. Their suits last a lifetime and never go out of style.
Eres Swimwear
Other trends, which were seen at Miami Swim Week in November 2016, were bridal swimwear, tasseled swimsuits, crop tops, sheer paneling, halters, lace-up siding, and low-cut.
The Bikini A Day girls spend a lot of time in swimsuits, so they know a thing or two about how they should fit. They make the softest, most comfortable and most flattering bikinis around.
MondaySwimwear.com
Mikoh swimwear has been an obsession of Chrissy’s since they launched a few years ago. She calls their their seamless swim “as sleek as can be”.
Overall, we’re seeing people live in their bathing suits a little bit more than they did before, which means they’ve become statement pieces in their own right. If you’re going to be wearing a suit from sunrise to sunset, it had better include the same fashion-forward design elements that clothes do, as functionality has given way to look, tan-lines be damned.
No matter which suit you choose, what’s certain is that Chrissy’s picks will ensure you’re the chicest person on the sand in 2017.
As the leader in outdoor furniture and lighting, Gloster releases three new lines to add style and function to your outdoor living space. Working with Danish designer, Henrik Pedersen, Gloster’s new collections make statements that are bold, tactile and simply indulgent, allowing you to enjoy unforgettable moments outdoors.
Grand Weave Lounge
Designed at an intentionally oversized and sumptuous scale, combining rural cues and modern materials for the ultimate in luxury outdoor living, Gloster’s Grand Weave collection is a modern twist on rustic seating. Interweaving aluminum and man-made fibers to create comfortable, tactile seating in modular components, Grand Weave exudes quality and comfort.
Grand Weave
“In nature often scale means strength and integrity and I considered this in the selection of the broad fibers used in this design. I want to inspire comfort and trust – critical parts of the relaxation process.” – Henrik Pederson
Available in either Meteor or White frame colors and wrapped in complimentary Basalt
or Parchment man-made fibers, this outdoor lounge collection is available in a wide variety of fabrics, including 8 waterproof options.
Cradle Daybed
Cradle Lounge
Cradle surrounds and comforts in indulgent relaxation with more than enough room for two. The aluminum frame (available in two powder coated finishes) paired with solid teak horizontal slats makes the pieces as durable as they are comfortable and with a selection of shade, Cradle makes privacy adjustable to your liking and is perfect for creating your own personal haven.
Henrik’s objective with Cradle “was to create private space that was as subtle as it was effective – full of options to hide away or party – an infinitely changeable piece that could be used whatever the mood and wherever the place.”
The base and back cushion of the Cradle Lounge are offered in a wide variety of cushion fabrics, including 8 waterproof options. Accessory shades are available in a neutral fabric that compliments any frame / cushion combination.
Deco Ambient Lighting
Ambient Cocoons
Available in both the Ambient Nest and Ambient Cocoon, Pedersen’s Deco Ambient Lighting Collection for Gloster was inspired by nature and employs the designer’s beliefs that both light and warmth create the best outdoor social environments.
Light and warmth are prinicpal parts of the best social environments and the most modest of devices are often the most effective. Here I combine the worlds of simplicity and light to achieve beautiful background illumination. – Pedersen
Ambient Nests paired with Grand Weave
Deco Ambient lighting combines simplicity and light for the epitome of outdoor luxury spaces using integrated solar charged LED lights.
While the Ambient Nest was inspired by the designs of the weaver bird, the Ambient Cocoon mimics the perfect symmetry and texture of silk cocoons.
Both collections are minimal and delicate yet dramatic and bold. These distinct designs create the perfect ambience when paired with any of Gloster’s outdoor furniture providing soft mood lighting for beautiful background illumination.
Explore these collections and more at Gloster.com.
This year, A-list designers are giving us the motivation we need to get through the winter doldrums. Michael Kors 2017 Resort Collection takes us from the slopes to the city to the seaside with destination-ready dressing and getaway glamour, for all of your travel adventures. Throughout his new collection, Michael Kors highlights upbeat graphics, feminine polka dots and pretty pleats. Sequined fringe and hoop earrings give a feel of movement while long french cuffs and edgy grommets leave us feeling seasonless yet sophisticated.
THIS SEASON, IT’S ALL ABOUT DESTINATION DRESSING. SHARP AND UPLIFTING STYLE TO CURE YOUR WINTER DOLDRUMS — THAT’S THE DEFINITION OF GETAWAY GLAMOUR. — MICHAEL KORS
The 2017 Resort Collection by Michael Kors plays up the use of proportions, pairing cropped pullovers with breezy, oversized palazzo trousers. Sailor skirts are paired with cashmere sweaters for a dazzling twist. Ease, throw-and-go and day to evening all describe the coming year’s looks. Glamorous accents like Guipure lace and glimmering sequins will have you ready for any excursion and leave you feeling like paradise wherever you may go.
We love this collection’s sea and ski theme with brilliant tones that reflect the sea and sky, contrasting black and whites, and even a complete line of looks devoted to maritime white and gold, Michael Kors 2017 Resort Collection has your go-to look for any destination.
It should come as no surprise that Tommy Bahama Home, the brand legendary for its spirited and sophisticated interpretation of relaxed island living would find its greatest inspiration from the world’s island-style. Its relative isolation evokes a passion for creative self-expression and indigenous style that served as inspiration for Road to Canberra, the latest lifestyle collection from Tommy Bahama Home.
The Road to Canberra collection showcases a dynamic blending of natural elements, including Quartered Ash and Mindi veneers, honed travertine tops, woven leather, aged metal, woven lampakanai, and even petrified wood. One of the featured design elements is the use of unique woven veneer panels on the fronts of key items that add texture, dimension and visual interest. Pieces are gently distressed, and finished in a light natural tone with a linen-white glaze that beautifully highlights the wood grain. Each piece of hardware in the collection is custom designed and finished in rustic bronze.
Upholstered seating features a rich palette of colors and textures – Aboriginal patterns, hand-embroidered linens, natural wovens, and distressed leather. The pleasing neutral and tone-on-tone color story is punctuated with hues of spicy cinnamon, deep umber and golden saffron. In addition to fully upholstered frames, the assortment includes exposed wood silhouettes, woven leather frames, and designs that incorporate the unique woven veneer technique that is showcased on many casegoods items.
Embracing a casual Island lifestyle can be as easy as walking through your own front door with the laid-back signature style of Tommy Bahama Home.
At times overshadowed by its much larger and louder Caribbean neighbors, Nevis is the perfect travel destination for those seeking luxury and seclusion. Nevis is one of the few islands in the Caribbean that is seemingly “untouched”. Unlike nearby islands with their cruise ships and casinos, Nevis has remained a quiet oasis with lush landscapes, amazing cuisine, and enchanting people. Bringing their legendary standards of luxury and service to the West Indies, the Four Seasons Resort Estates Nevis is the ideal location for second home owners or retirees.
Offering laid-back luxury and the added perk of Nevis’s Citizen by Investment (CBI) program – the longest running CBI program in the world, The Four Seasons Estates at Nevis presents a variety of luxury villas for large groups and families with all of the five-star amenities you’d expect from a Four Seasons Resort along with the privacy and seclusion of your own tropical estate.
The Villas at Pinney’s Beach are the newest homes on the island & are the closest to the sparking beach. Each home is truly unique, offering a variety of features including private pools, spacious terraces and landscaped gardens. The estates and villas are situated on eight different communities surrounding the Four Seasons Resort Nevis’ 18-hole Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course and just minutes from Pinney’s Beach with views of the Caribbean Sea, Nevis Peak and the neighboring island of St. Kitts.
“The new Villas at Pinney’s Beach are prime real estate at the Four Seasons Resort Estates Nevis. The homes are spacious and private, and they are the closest to the beach within the development”, says Eric Johnson, Director of Sales & Marketing. “The Villas come with all of the amenities of the resort. Vacation guests and homeowners alike receive world-class service found at all Four Seasons properties, including a dedicated villa manager, provisioning services and professional villa management.”
Three-bedroom villas are 2,748 sq. ft. and four-bedroom villas are 3,323 sq. ft and feature private pools, Carrera marble countertops, mahogany doors and Bosch and Thermador kitchen appliances. Each free-standing villa designed by the acclaimed Champalimaud Design comes fully furnished with modern, comfortable furniture inspired by the tropical surroundings of Nevis. The architecture captures indoor-outdoor, open-concept living with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors.
Villa Amenities:
• Dedicated villa ambassador for daily needs or specials requests
• 24-hour Four Seasons In-Residence Dining
• Twice-daily housekeeping service
• Fully equipped kitchen in each villa; private chef on request
• Custom-tailored pre-arrival provisioning services available
Resort Recreation:
• 18-hole, championship Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course
• Ten tennis courts, managed by Peter Burwash International
• Access to three beachside infinity pools, including adults-only pool (in addition to your own private pool)
• Pristine 3-miles Pinney’s Beach offering complimentary non-motorised water sports and four cabana-style beach houses for daily rental
• Award-winning Spa with 12 treatment rooms for massages, facials and salon services; select spa services also offered in villas
• Air-conditioned Sports Pavilion for state-of-the-art workouts
• Kids For All Seasons program and abundant activities for teens
Jasper House was designed and hand built in Turks and Caicos Islands by two successful architects from New York City who graduated with their Master’s Degree in Architecture from Columbia University in 2006. It is a dream for every architect to design and build their own house. Ryan Harvey and Christina Kwak worked each and every day for almost three years to hand-build Jasper House. The attention to details and construction techniques are unsurpassed in Providenciales. Completion of Jasper House was completed in 2013 when the couple moved back to New York.
“This exquisite, well-appointed oceanfront residence is in an idyllic setting with spectacular ocean front views overlooking Sapodilla Bay and is surrounded by beautiful, colorful gardens.”
This is a special house, designed with a tip of the hat to the British West Indies Colonial style, it is surrounded by a large wrap around veranda in the front and large decks at the back facing the ocean. Jasper House is an exceptional real estate property in Turks and Caicos example of what two architects can do if they work each and every day at building a home.
Ryan Harvey is currently working with big.dk on Google’s new head office in Mountain View, California. Ryan’s wife, Christina is working for a successful architectural firm out of New York City and is project architect on a school in Rhode Island, New York. Each and every day both architects were on site with hands on work to assure the construction adhered to each and every detail that is unsurpassed in the islands.
About Privax International Limited: Turks and Caicos has world-class spas and resorts, trip advisor’s number one beach in the world, fine dining, local culture, and the world renown coral reefs. This country has no property tax or income tax. For more information on what two architects can accomplish with daily, hands on input on building a home, please visit http://turksandcaicosrealestatepropertyforsale.com
Have you ever wanted to take a peek inside 23,500 square-foot, hillside Virgin Gorda home? You’re in luck. This $40 million beauty has been on the market since June 2016 and is the third-largest home on the island.
The house took seven years to build and was completed in 2014. It overlooks the Little Dix Bay peninsula with long-range views of the Caribbean Sea, as well. Its design inspiration is drawn from Japan, where the home’s name, Villa Katsura, was also derived. An imperial villa of the same name is in the suburbs of Kyoto, but this property boasts distinctly Caribbean features.
Those unique touches include a main house that, in addition to a living room, kitchen and guest bedroom, boasts an open floor plan looking out to a terrace, multiple fire pits and a pool. A heated rock pool was also built alongside the main pool and also incorporates a steam shower room and waterfall.
For more dramatic flair, the master suite is accessed only over a small bridge. It has its own sun terrace and fire pit, along with a double shower, koi pond and, of course, another waterfall.
A third structure contains three additional bedrooms and bathrooms. In total, the house has five bedrooms and five baths, each with a bespoke flourish, for instance an ofuro bath, which is a deep, steep-sided traditional wooden tub often found in Japan’s spas.
The layout of the property was designed to be flexible and is said to be made as such to attract hoteliers-to-be. It also comes with a sandy, semi-private beach shared with only one other property.
The gardens are another strong selling point, designed by Hoichi Kurisu of Kurisu International, a Portland- and Delray Beach, Florida-based landscape firm. Winding stone paths, waterfalls, bridges, koi ponds and private gardens–including a rock garden–dot the entire compound and add luxe tranquility to every corner of Villa Katsura.
One of the most expensive properties on the island, Villa Katsura was clearly designed with the most discerning client in mind. It’s certainly a must-look for anyone who’s a self-admitted architecture geek, owing to the property’s adherence to traditional Japanese architectural style and principles. Of course, being surrounded by waterfalls while overlooking the Caribbean Sea isn’t a bad enticement all its own, and is just one reason we’re sure people will be admiring this property for a long time to come.
Built with Bustelo Coffee’s Jose Enrique Souto’s art collection in mind, this coffee baron’s palatial Miami abode is a work of art in its own right. Designed by celebrated Miami architect Bea Pila, the home’s design incorporates Pila’s philosophy of “sacred spaces,” which imparts the idea that a room should be oriented towards the homeowner’s specific needs and personality and not necessarily the strict notion of what a room “should” be used for.
Suoto’s home is designed around his impressive art collection, with each room showcasing some of his favorite pieces.
In particular, Souto’s needs are oriented towards his massive art collection, which represents over 30 museum-caliber artists. To this end, much of the space was designed with each piece he owns in mind, in an effort to elevate the collection as a whole. Among Souto’s favorites are his Cuban paintings, all of which are bursting with color and life. When showcasing these pieces the space around the paintings become a neutral canvas, allowing the artwork to shine. Neutral furnishings make a statement with shape and silhouette versus patterns. A blend of irons, woods and solid fabrics provide a masculinity and maturity without being pretentious. Luxe wallpapers, including velvet-embossings and overlays and grasscloth textures, placed on select walls imparts sophistication and invites interest.
Neutral furnishings make a statement while accentuating the life and colors of each room’s fine art.
The villa is 14,000 square-feet designed in classical style with a modern twist. The archways, door frames and windows are outfitted with dark wood and the family room flooring is pieced together with marble cuts in two finishes, honey and sandblasted leather, creating a striped effect in shape and texture.
Archways, door frames and windows are all outfitted with rich, dark wood.
The foyer has four large marble slabs, which create a diamond-shaped ripple effect that blends so seamlessly it appears cut right out of nature. The master bathroom’s shower also employs this technique while the flooring was completed in classical mosaic style, compounding on the theme of traditional style with modern subtleties.
The wine room.
The wine room is modeled after the idea of an old cellar but has been refreshed with high-designed functionality. Stainless steel chillers inserted into the patterned grey stone slabs limit refrigeration behind glass doors, thereby enabling guests to sit comfortably. Swivel industrial-like wooden seats flank the steel table, anchored by a beaded chandelier of corks.
Other spaces in the home allow for elevated leisure, too. Various alcoves throughout the estate have different functions: a foosball table occupies one, just outside the office terrace. Souto’s collection of Bonsai trees inspired the creation of a zen garden. What was initially supposed to be a simple screening room turned into a full-force entertainment area with a bar bar console and the living room bar lights up the space with its glowing top. The pool is a literal oasis, providing a comfortable sanctuary in an otherwise serious home.
Outdoor seating areas provide a comfortable oasis in this Miami home.
For Souto, his intense love of art and beautiful spaces meant one thing: his home needed to be not just a place to live, but also a museum. Pila’s challenge was to produce a design plan that reflected sophistication and good taste while creating a comfortable, livable space that didn’t feel overly-intellectualized or cold. With the incorporation of traditional design elements, natural materials and neutral colors with a variety of textures, Souto’s Miami villa strikes just the right balance.
Sophia Webster’s latest collection is a kaleidoscope of color. Inspired by the film Dreamgirls and Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic The Birds, her Spring Summer 2017 collection is awash with tropical flamingos, bold shades, glittering crystals, graphic patterns and peacock feathers.
Aptly named Dolly Birds of Paradise, the collection is made only for the boldest dressers as it plays on the designer’s love of ‘60s fashion with chunky heels, sequin additions and exaggerated embellishments. But the highlight of the season is the popular Lilico line which gets a tropical upgrade this year with a small selection of shoes and handbags in soft beachside pastels, dotted with garish pops of magenta and orange that inexplicably complement one another.
The seven-piece Lilico Sequin range includes two handbags, a miniaudiere and pouchette; three flats, a sandal, a sneaker and a slipper; and two heels, a platform and stiletto. Finished in a pearl blue leather and adorned with sequin flowers, laser cut-outs and candy-striped heels, the resulting effect is a dreamy, sartorially flawless edit that captures the juxtaposition of the calm and liveliness of the tropics.
Whether you spend your time on the dance floor in sky-high heels or wasting the day away on the beach in kick-off sandals, fashionable women can find something in Webster’s latest collection to pack for their next beachside getaway.
