Woodsy Winter Canadiana

Today’s Inspired Creations Contest concept is all about Pop Culture Canadiana and showcasing the spectacular beauty of the Canadian Rockies!  Brought to us by the Banff-based team of  Julie Williams Photography, Cherry Tree Occasions, Spoonful of Sugar Invitations & Creations and Forget me Not Flowers, this is pure outdoor winter fun!

A scrumtious dessert table with sweets made by Alannah Gamblin is full of Canadian flavors such as Tim Horton’s doughnuts (which get a makeover with sparkling sugar!), maple leaf cookies, Nanaimo bars, and a tea station.

The woodsy winter table featured cable-knit napkins (repurposed from an old sweater), vintage china, moss chargers, and a gorgeous centerpiece of willow, roses, astrantia, hydrangea, moss, and birch bark tubes.  Vintage crystals were woven and hung from the willow basket, and the whole piece was tied together with copper wire.  Little Canadian winter touches make all the difference, like the burlap overlay and the chair sashes accented with silhouettes of local animals.

A silk jeweled folio is the perfect contrast to an invitation adorned with a buck head, birds, and an elk wearing a toque.

Nanaimo bars are a Canadian delicacy and if you have never had one, trust me you are missing out. Alannah was kind enough to part with her recipe for Pappermint Nanaimo Bars!

Cozy Cave Bake Shoppe Peppermint Nanaimo Bars
{view printable recipe}

Base

1/2 cup butter
1 tsp cocoa
1/4 cup sugar

Put butter, cocoa and sugar in a glass bowl and stir over a double boiler until well combined – sugar is completely dissolved.

Then whisk in:
1 egg
1 tsp mint extract

In a separate bowl combine:
2 Cups Graham Crumb OR Chocolate Cookie Crumb
1 Cup Coconut (sweetened flaked)

Add the wet mix to the dry mix and combine well. Pat / pack down an even layer into an 8×8 pan and set aside in a cool area.

Filling

Mix the following:
1/3 Cup softened Butter
2 Tbsp of Vanilla Pudding mix (Instant)
2 Tbsp of hot water
1 tsp mint extract
(you may tint this later with green or blue food colouring to appear minty!)

Spread evenly over the bottom layer and set aside.

Topping

Melt in a glass bowl over a double boiler:
1 Cup chocolate chip
1 – 2 Tbsp of butter

Pour on top of the middle “custard” and spread evenly. Set in fridge for about an hour before cutting into squares. ENJOY!

Maple syrup favors, of course!

Thanks to these ladies from the Great White North for participating in the Inspired Creations Contest.  Sound off with your love in the comments if this is your favorite! :)

Photography – Julie Williams Photography \ Event Design – Cherry Tree Occasions \ Stationery – Spoonful of Sugar Invitations & Creations Inc. \ Floral – Forget me Not Flowers \ Dessert Table – Alannah Gamblin \ Hair and Makeup – Candice from Tying Knots \ Models – Colin and Jessica Olauson