Baby in Pink

I had the opportunity to throw my dear friend a surprise Diaper Party for her third baby, a girl.  My girlfriend missed the chance to try my Cherry Almond Vanilla cupcakes a while back and I thought she'd really enjoy them, so I opted for that specialty again.

They were a big hit.  I mixed the frosting up a bit this time, and it turned out to be just as tasty as the previous batch, and just a tad different with a hint of maraschino cherry.  Congratulations!  I can't wait to meet that baby girl!

Boston Cream Pies: Cheater's Choice

I was looking through my cupcake book the other day and decided that I wanted to try out making cupcake style Boston Cream Pie. I soon figured out that I didn't have enough time to make everything from scratch so I figured out my own cheater's way of doing it. So simple and satisfying.

Bostom Cream Pies: Cheater's Choice
1 box vanilla cake mix
1 box vanilla instant pudding
6 oz chocolate chip pieces

Prepare cake mix into 24 cupcakes
Prepare vanilla instant pudding
After cupcakes are cooled, cut in half with serrated knife
Spoon 1 Tbsp pudding onto each bottom half
Top with top half of cupcake
Melt chocolate chips and spoon onto top of cupcakes
Chill

See...simple!

A Very Berry Birthday

This morning we had my daughter's "friend" birthday party. She opted for the Strawberry Shortcake theme again and I was pleased to find cupcake toppers that fit the bill!

These cupcakes were made from scratch and are vanilla very berry.  Inside you'll bite into a sweet mix of strawberries, rasberries and bluberries.  After baking a homemade jelly type sauce is piped into the middle and then covered with creamy butter frosting.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Saturday Morning: Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

This morning I was watching our friend's 2 children while my hubby and their dad helped a family move. What better way to keep kids entertained than to let them bake? I've had a box of carrot cake mix sitting in the pantry so we skipped the "from scratch" and just used the box. We did make our own icing, though.

Blueberry Surprise

I was browsing the latest edition of Family Circle and came across this delicious looking summer treat.  I love me a blueberry muffin, so I could only guess that a blueberry cupcake would be that much better.  Oh. My. Gosh.  They are so good.  Even my hubby likes them, and he doesn't like sweets.

So you don't have to look it up, here's the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4  cups  all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons  baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  cup  (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4  cup  sugar
• 2    eggs
• 3/4  cup  milk
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 3/4  cup  fresh blueberries
• 1 1/3  cups  heavy cream
• 3  tablespoons  granulated sugar
• 2/3  cup  fresh blueberries
• 1  tablespoon  confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line one 12-cup cupcake pan with foil or paper cupcake liners.
2. Cupcakes. In medium-size bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar and beat until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time. On low speed, add half the flour mixture. Beat in the milk and vanilla, followed by remaining flour mixture. Fold in fresh blueberries.
3. Spoon batter into pan, a scant 1/3 cup in each indent. Bake at 375 degrees F for 23 to 25 minutes, turning pan once. Cool in pan on wire rack, then remove cakes from pan to cool completely.
4. Prepare Topping. In large bowl, combine cream and granulated sugar. Beat until medium-stiff peaks are formed. Spoon onto cooled cupcakes, about 1/4 cup on each. Scatter 6 or 7 blueberries over each cupcake, and dust with a little confectioners sugar, if desired. Serve immediately or keep cool until serving.

Cherry Almond Vanilla Cupcakes

I have been dying to try these out ever since I saw a picture of them. They don't disappoint. A Cherry Almond Vanilla cupcake from scratch, covered with a Chery Almond Buttercream frosting, and topped with a Maraschino cherry. Delish.

P.S.  How will I ever lose this baby-weight with this addiction I have to making foods that look fun?

Steeler's Fan

My first (and at this point, only) attempt at making and using fondant. 

The cake is a moist banana.