Our Blog

November 19th, 2012 by Innkeeper

Looking for a fun and different cupcake recipe? How about Bacon & Brown Sugar Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting? When I heard that the Easton Farmers’ Market was planning their first annual Bacon Fest my immediate response was “Count me in!”. As an Easton, Pa Bed & Breakfast owner, I know from bacon – one of my favorite ingredients! Then they announced the Hog Heaven Bacon Cupcake Contest and I knew I had to enter. I started with a very basic, but delicious cupcake recipe. I wanted something on the plain side so I could let the bacon be the star of the show. My favorite frosting of all time is a maple cream cheese combo that I thought would be the perfect complement. The first trial led to some happy staff and family members but nearly everyone said – more bacon! So the final entry has bacon incorporated three ways. Since I came home with the judges’ prize, I guess everyone was right. Want to make bacon cupcakes at home? Here’s my how-to:

One pound of bacon – the better the bacon, the better the cupcakes. I like an all-natural, hickory smoked variety sliced fairly thin. Bake bacon slices on rimmed cookie sheets at 350 degrees until crisp and lightly browned. Drain on paper towels. Reserve several slices for decorating the tops of the cupcakes and chop the rest into small bacon-fetti.

Prepare cupcake batter (see below). Fold in 1/3 cup of the bacon bits. Fill papers about two-thirds full and sprinkle additional bacon bits on top. Bake at 350 until lightly brown and set in the center – about 10 minutes for minis, 15 minutes for full size. Frost with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting (see below) and decorate with remaining bacon. Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Cupcakes

[adapted howsweeteats.com]

Makes 12 large, or 36 mini cupcakes
1 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and egg until smooth. Add vanilla and milk, mix to combine. Slowly pour in melted butter, continuing to beat. Add in the flour, soda and salt, mixing until batter is smooth.

Ready to be frosted!
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 stick butter, room temp
8 oz cream cheese, room temp
1/4 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Beat butter & cream cheese until smooth. Beat in remaining ingredients until smooth. Keep refrigerated.
Laura Di Liello

The Lafayette Inn
Easton, PA

July 3rd, 2012 by Innkeeper

You probably have read about a “better way to stay”, well, even a family of house finches know that this is true at any bed and breakfast and have “checked-in” to our inn. They’re long term residents as they have made their nest, laid eggs, and are now raising their 4 little ones. With plenty of green space around and a peaceful surrounding, there just isn’t a better place.
Here we see them waiting for mom’s return with breakfast while dad is keeping guard.

So if Mother Nature knows that we are a better way to stay, why aren’t YOU staying here?!?
We hope to see you soon,
Paul & Laura

July 2nd, 2012 by Innkeeper

We had a full house this weekend, including a group in town for a family party. At check out on Sunday morning we got several comments along the lines of “This is the first time we’ve stayed at a B&B and we were very pleasantly surprised.” “You’ve completely changed our minds about B&B’s. This place is amazing!” “We are going to start staying at B&B’s all the time now.” Wow. Of course we beam with pride when our guests have this kind of reaction but a little part of me is sad to think that so many people have a negative mindset about B&B’s. Over the past year or so our industry organization has been running a fun campaign called “Better Way to Stay” in an attempt to dispel myths and increase awareness of our fantastic industry. Here’s an example of the silly, fun, & TRUE videos produced for this campaign.

More recently, to poke a little fun at the election process (aren’t you already sick of the TV advertisements?) they’ve created the “Doily Decision 2012″ campaign. Why the doily? Well it’s a convenient symbol of the negative stereotypes some people hold about staying at a B&B: dusty furniture you can’t sit on, every surface covered with doilies, dolls, and nick nacks, creepy innkeepers you don’t want to talk to – you get the picture. Now, we know it isn’t true and we’ve declared ourselves “No Doily”. OK, we still have a few useful doilies laying about but we’re working on it!

Vote \”NO Doily!\” | Doily Decision 2012

The wonderful reality is that there is a B&B for every taste and every situation. We love playing host to families and people traveling with their dogs; Lafayette College parents; business travelers; and people just passing through Easton, Pennsylvania. Why are we the BEST place to stay in Easton, PA? Because we care! We are a family with a small dedicated staff here to provide you with all the comforts you would look for in a hotel but with the personal attention, customized decor, delicious breakfasts and neighborhood location you can only get in a Bed & Breakfast.

If you’re a doubting Thomas come stay with us so we can change your mind too. If you already know B&B’s are the only way to stay come visit us in our unique inn – truly the best lodging in Easton, Pennsylvania!

with love,

Laura

The Lafayette Inn Easton, PA

January 16th, 2012 by Innkeeper

Apart from being a lovely place to stay, the Lafayette Inn offers plenty of convenience when you are visiting Lafayette College. We are only a few blocks (less than a 10 minute walk) from most buildings on campus. Ask us for a detailed campus map at the front desk when you check in.
We also have ample onsite parking here at the Inn, so you can leave your car here when going on your campus tour or interview.

We have several rooms and suites that make traveling with your family easier, too. Rooms 12 and 22 have two double beds and can sleep up to four people. Rooms 11 and 21 are two room suites that allow a little extra space for t families traveling together. Each of these rooms has a queen size bed plus a trundle day bed that can accommodate two more people. Even your four footed family members are welcome in our designated pet-friendly rooms. We can accommodate pets in rooms 1, 2 and 3. Bowls, mat, towel, treats, and clean-up bags are provided. There is a $20 per night additional charge. Pets may not be left alone in the room. – by Nancy

Weather you want the features of an Easton, PA Hotel or the atmosphere of a bed and breakfast in Easton, PA – The Lafayette Inn is the best choice when visiting Lafayette College.

January 4th, 2012 by Innkeeper

My husband and I recently went to Penn’s Peak in Lehighton, Pa to see the vintage rock band, Vanilla Fudge. The members are Mark Stein on keyboards, Vince Martell on guitar, Carmine Appice on drums and Pete Bremy on Bass. Pete is the only one that is not an original member. They did a remake of a Supremes song in 1967 which put them on the charts. The song is called, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” They are currently doing a Farewell Tour.

Lehigh Valley has an amazing array of live music venues from restored theatres to modern new facilities and great local bars. The State Theatre is a great place for entertainment. SteelStacks by Artsquest, in Bethlehem, Pa also has regular shows. Downtown Easton, PA bars with live music schedules include Pearly Bakers on Fridays, 11 Centre Square and Porter’s Pub on Fridays and Saturdays, 700 Northampton Street. The music usually starts at 10 p.m. Check out current schedules at Lehigh Valley Live. Of course you’ll want to make a weekend of it and stay the night at our Easton, PA Bed & Breakfast!

by Val – Assistant Innkeeper