Miij’s Recipes for Celebrating

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the art of celebration. How it’s not just about birthdays or holidays, but also the little everyday moments we shouldn’t let slip by.

Right now, my family has so many reasons to celebrate — birthdays, holidays, and new little lives safely here or on the way. I put together this spread as a way to play around with fun, whimsical ways to bring a little more beauty into our days.

So whether it’s a big milestone, a cozy family dinner, or just a reason to make the ordinary feel special, I wanted to share these ideas to inspire your next gathering.

1. Cream-filled rice cakes

Traditionally filled with honey and crushed sesame seeds, these Korean rice cakes (tteok) get a modern twist. They’re filled with fluffy cream, berry jam, or sweet red bean.

I blended freeze-dried fruit like mango, banana, and berries to make a colorful, fruity dusting and topped each piece with edible flowers — so simple yet absolutely stunning.

Honestly though, my personal favorite is the mugwort (ssuk) rice cake with crunchy perilla seeds, lightly pan-fried and drizzled with vanilla bean honey — earthy, nutty, and so aromatic.

Here are the exact rice cakes I recommend!

• Strawberry Cream Rice Cake
• Blueberry Cream Rice Cake
• Red Bean Cream Rice Cake
• Mugwort Perilla Seed Rice Cake

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They carry over 3,000 authentic Korean food products — from soups and stews to desserts and banchan — all shipped nationwide (including HI and AK) in chilled, eco-friendly packaging to keep everything fresh. Use my code before December 31, 2025 and bring a little taste of Korean celebration to your table!

2. Pineapple flowers

These pineapple flowers are one of my new favorite simple garnishes — just thinly sliced pineapple, baked low and slow until the edges curl into delicate petals. They add such a pretty, natural pop of color and a hint of tropical sweetness.

You can use them to decorate cakes, rice cakes, tarts, or even cocktails or tea! So easy to make, and they instantly make any dessert feel special 🌼🍍

All you need to do is cut the pineapple as usual, then use a paring knife to remove all the brown “eyes” from the flesh — leaving the core intact. Thinly slice with a sharp knife and gently pat each slice dry with a paper towel.

Arrange the slices on a wire rack and bake at 200°F for 1–2 hours (a toaster oven works great!), flipping halfway through. Once dried and lightly golden, place the slices in a muffin tin to shape them into flower-like petals.

Let them cool, and enjoy within a few days!

3. Jujube apple rose tarts

Think buttery puff pastry, crisp apples, and a spoonful of jujube apple butter — rolled up into these pretty rose-shaped tarts. They look fancy but come together easily with store-bought dough, and they make your kitchen smell like fall in the best way.

Recipe is already up on fruitandsup.co!