Text, Photos, and Ice Cream Cake, plus Easter candy, early!
In case you've missed it, I updated the Ice Cream Crunch Cake recipe with some better photos.
This was the first photo before.
And now this one is up there.
I'm so encouraged when I look at those two photos. I think I thought the first photo was just fine when I took it, but clearly, I've learned a thing or two since I first published this recipe 2.5 years ago.
I also added a photo with text for those of you that might want to add it to a Pinterest board.
Speaking of that, do you guys like it when I add text to a photo? Or do you prefer to pin photos that don't say anything?
Here's an example of one with text.
Let your opinions be known.
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Aldi sent me a few Easter candy samples to try out, and of course, my children were more than thrilled to help with this task.
Easter candy before Easter? Yes, please.
They thought the jelly beans were really good, and were especially pleased to see that no black ones were included (most of them hate black jelly beans).
Though the bubble gum eggs are multi-colored, they're all basic bubble gum. Sonia's a big gum fan, so she liked these.
Hands-down, though, the favorite was the chocolates...all of my kids loved these, and they said the chocolate just melts in your mouth and so they're highly recommended.
(Do you like how the sheep appears to be throwing a sidelong glance at the frog? It's making me smile.)
I normally buy most of my Easter candy at Aldi...they carry a lot of their own candy brands, but you can also buy things like Peeps and name-brand chocolates if you prefer. And of course, the private label brands and the national brands are all way less expensive than they are at most other grocery stores.
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Today's 365 post: Well, hello there, little mint plant!
Joshua's 365 post: Lisey's reading companion
Dear Kristin,
Please read the following articles to know how the dyes in our food affecting our kids behavior.
http://www.squidoo.com/DieDye
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-rainbow-of-food-dyes-in-our-grocery-aisles-has-a-dark-side/2011/03/21/AFyIwaYB_story.html
The icecream pictures look lovely, both do.
We had some recent issues with food colouring/dyes when someone gave our kids bright yellow Peeps. It was scary. We almost never buy candy, even for "special occasions". Please don't give kids candy or treats without checking with their parents first!
No offense is meant, Kristen! I love reading your blog every day.
Unless the kid is allergic, there is really no reliable evidence on those claims. The FDA has repeatedly said there is no risk (and if any organization would want to push Nanny Statism, it's the government.)
Food coloring, by and large is made from food. Cochineal (the infamous Red Dye people hate) is made from South American bugs. 🙂
I like the photos with text better... for pinning purposes, of course! 🙂
I have no preferences regarding text on photos, unless the text obscures bits I want to see well.
Thanks or sharing and the second picture and different layers look more appetizing to me. You have improvied in your skill as a photographer for sure.
I miss Aldi's so much...maybe you can contact rhwm for us here in Colorado and ask them build here...close to Highlands Ranch or Denver area. Tee Hee
Joan
I like the no-text photos. To me, the text on photos trend is...well...a bit silly. That's why there's a description section on Pinterest.
And I like your new photo of the ice cream crunch cake, but there are actually things I like better about the first one, too.
Okay, both cake photos look absolutely delicious...I'm definitely trying this recipe!
I like text photos and no text photos..depends on what is being taken...
How do you add text to a photo?
I just use Picasa...free and easy!
I'm good either way - I don't mind typing a description into Pinterest.
Yummy cake!
By the way, your 365 link is broken.
Oops...I put the wrong title AND link in there. Hee. It's fixed now.
It's odd. I check Facebook each morning around the time Kristen posts. And when I click through the regular post to the 365, it's broken about 95% of the time. I wonder if the server just hasn't had time to catch up?
I just hit the 365 button on the main page and it takes me through! So there's always that option if you need a quick fix 🙂
I vote for keeping the text. Mmmm, ice cream cake. Wow, did you see the price on eggs at Aldi? I picked up two dozen eggs and went next door to the Dollar Store for a coloring kit. My kids had the best time coloring eggs and it cost me less than $3.
Already bought their Easter basket stuff and I'm done. At least I say I'm done. My husband and I have a very bad habit of adding items to gifts like baskets and stockings. Rite Aid had some great sale items the other day so I stocked up and hid the bags away - cost me $16 for both girls and I'll recycle baskets from past years. So far, I've resisted buying any extras.
I bought eggs this week at Aldi, too. And I could have sworn they were usually more expensive than the 99 cents I paid!
I vote no text.
I've also found that the Aldi dark chocolate bars are the BEST. They have a chili flavored one that is super yummy. And if one small bar (there's 5 per package) keep me from overeating too much other stuff that's bad for me, I'll call that even.
I bought the best German chocolat Easter candy at Aldi! unfortunately I ate about half of it and had to go back for more!
Either way if good.
No text in the photos please! I love photos, text just gets in the way. I do like a description below, just like you usually do.
No text! 🙂
I'll chime in for text on the photos! 🙂
Had to come in on this - for so many reasons.
Firstly, the photos, yes you've come a long way. I think your photos of food are some of the best I've ever seen (and seriously I'm not just saying that).
Moving onto cake, I posted yesterday a few of my birthday cake creations as part of my 'Not Buying It' series. The photo's are pretty rubbish, but my baking and decorating skills have significantly improved over 6 years. One reader mentioned Ice-Cream cake, and I said I'd never seen one. Well now I have!
Aldi and Easter goodies - I've purchased all of mine from there this year. It's my Daughter's birthday on Easter Sunday and instead of goodie bags they'll be going home with Choceur Bunnies after her tea-party - which are as good as Lindt (not sure if this means anything over in the US?)
Finally - food dyes. I've thought about this quite a lot this week as I am making a birthday cake and need yellow icing. There was an intriguing video on You Tube of how to make it out of boiled grass, but couldn't decide if it was for real? I purchased some instead, I'll be using just a tiny bit - if that makes it any better at all?
Jo, this page may be of interest to you. I don't know how some of these would taste in icing, though.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-ways-to-make-organic-diy-food-coloring.html?page=1
Jackie - Thanks so much for this. The tumeric for yellow was something I'd considered trying (I don't have saffron - too expensive!). The theory is that you use so little it doesn't affect flavour, and if it does then an extract of another flavour *should* counteract it. I'm going to give the spices a go on the unedible pieces of icing sugarpaste (the bunny shapes) to see and then sample and if any good try for the actual cake. Thanks again.
No problem! Hope your cake turns out well!
Kristen,
Your picture taking skills have improved.
I'm ok with the text but not on the food itself. Maybe on the plate?
I'd have it both ways for your readers because it seems like an even split based on my non-scientific reading of your comments. What about just on your PDF with the recipe?
Food dye....well, we're using the food dye egg coloring kit because my family won't have anything to do with the natural dying that I'd like to do. The eggs are from our backyard chickens so at least those are healthy and natural. Once a year egg coloring and the occasional frosting I'm ok with but I try and steer clear of the candy and focus on chocolate!!
I"m perfectly fine with photos that come with and without text. Oh, by the way, that ice cream crunch "cake" looks delicious 😉 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
Hi Kristen: I bought all my Easter candy from Aldi's this year mainly because I thought the wrapped chocolates were so darn cute. I'm glad to know that real kids like them. And no black jelly beans - WOW!
Hi Kristin,
I'm a graphic designer (mainly a stay at home Mom these days!) & I'd say I like it better without the text on the photo. These are great pictures & they speak for themselves. I don't feel like the text adds anything. But hey I'll still read your blog if you do add the text to photos!
I bought Easter candy at Aldi's and we all thought the jelly beans tasted very chemically and ended up throwing out half the bag.
The chocolate marzipan eggs, however, have been a HUGE hit. Delicious and elegantly packaged.
I made this ice-cream cake this weekend for my husband's b-day. I took another shortcut - I bought cocoa crispies instead of melting chocolate and peanut butter. I also added Heath bits on top instead of chocolate chips. Lots of yummy options for toppings on this simple cake! Thanks for sharing.
Am I the only one who likes Black Jelly Beans? Really, they're the ones I save for last to savor them.
Hi there!
I'm a graphic designer, too, and I vote for no text on the photos 🙂 I love the blurry cake in the background and think it adds a lot of depth & interest to your image. Placing the text there is taking away from the shallow focus you've achieved beautifully with the camera. Mmmmm... yummy.