Dig into these desserts inspired by some of the massively popular chick flicks of all time. Indulgence couldn't get better than this as you bust the stress solo or with your trusted girl gang with movie nights that rejuvenate you.
Long before people started guilt-tripping and sabotaging each other for watching no-brainer entertainment, chick flicks were the way to go, to enjoy a tub of ice cream, catch up with your favorite girlfriends and escape from the stresses of everyday life. The bombastic criminal offensive side-eye might just have buried this trend and it's more a guilty pleasure these days.
Characterized by their focus on fashion, romance and the friendships between ambitious women, these films from the 1950s through the 2000s allowed audiences to indulge in fantasies of the big city glamor. But in recent years the no-brainer yet feel-good entertainment of chick flicks seems to have fallen out of favor. We are here to reignite the flame and coax you to bake, make, or order in these desserts inspired by a few of our favorite chick flicks of all time.
Sex and the City is the godmother of all chick flicks, which follows the lives of four fashionable friends—Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha—as they navigate love and careers in New York City. Throughout the hit series and films, the women indulged in lively discussions over cosmopolitans and nibbles at their favorite restaurants. Just as the cosmopolitan cocktail became synonymous with the show's carefree yet sophisticated spirit, strawberry cheesecake embodies the sweet yet indulgent treats the women enjoyed, especially at brunch. Layered with a creamy cream cheese filling and crowned with a sweet swirl of ruby red strawberry topping, cheesecake is as fulfilling as a girls' night out. Its hint of tanginess also captures the tart edge that balanced the romantic highs and relationship woes the women experienced in Manhattan's competitive dating scene.
Audrey Hepburn dazzled in this 1921 film in her iconic black dress, chunky pearl necklace and chic updo, standing outside Tiffany's showroom, with a cup of coffee and a croissant delicately held in hand. Hepburn played Holly Golightly whose whimsical yet troubled character is recounted by a writer who happened to be her neighbor and was fascinated by her carefree outlook on life and mysterious demeanor. A dessert that captures the effortless elegance and hint of mystery portrayed by Hepburn is crème brûlée. The rich vanilla custard layered in a tiny ramekin and crowned with a crisp caramelized sugar shell, crème brûlée is at once luxuriously indulgent yet retains an aloof sophistication, much like Holly herself.
In The Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep commanded the cutthroat world of high fashion magazines as the intimidating yet sophisticated editor Miranda Priestly. No one dared to cross Miranda as she effortlessly juggled her high-powered career and family in designer outfits. She is what every one of us aspires to be when we grow up and stop hating the world for what it is. To define this exceptional woman, nothing but red velvet cupcakes will do for it perfectly embodies the film's glamorous yet decadent aesthetic. These bite-sized luxuries might just please the finicky Emily who obsessively watched her weight. Did we mention the vibrant crimson perfectly complements the pitchforked Prada shoe on the movie and book cover? With a swirl of cream cheese frosting on top, these cupcakes are perfect for an evening or night rewatching the iconic cast of the movie.
Legally Blonde introduced the world to Elle Woods, a bubbly sorority queen who followed her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School. Though underestimated for her perky pink attire and valley girl ways, Elle quickly proved herself to be a force to be reckoned with through her sharp wit and determination. So, a blondie for the blondie, but since it’s Elle, we added choco chips to make them more fun! Just as Elle charmed her classmates with her one-of-a-kind blend of feminine flair and steely ambition, blondies offer a deceptively simple yet irresistible combination of flavors. A tray of these blondies is the perfect treat to enjoy while reliving the joy and empowerment of Elle Woods's Harvard conquests in Legally Blonde.
Based on the bestselling novels by Sophie Kinsella, Confessions of a Shopaholic follows the comedic adventures of Rebecca Bloomwood, a financial journalist who can't resist the siren song of the shopping mall. Ironically for someone writing on finance, she is knee-deep in credit card bills, courtesy of Rebecca's insatiable love of fashion. In the same way, macarons embody the indulgent yet irresistible nature of a shopping spree, with their artfully crafted colorful shells and fillings. Like Rebecca joyfully unwrapping her packages, biting into a macaron unleashes a burst of flavor that is equal to the same satisfaction as the thrill of a new purchase. With flavors as diverse as Rebecca's wardrobe, macarons are as fun and addictive to sample as browsing sale racks, capturing the unbridled spirit of the shopaholic in all of us.