tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7977584239591588502024-03-19T00:36:59.968-04:00~ YellowRoses Cupcakes ~Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-74136112349131242812013-03-01T15:29:00.000-05:002013-03-01T15:29:19.310-05:00Taking the Gluten-Free PlungeGluten-free eating has become a very popular way of life these days. Some people eat gluten-free because of health reasons, while others are hoping for the health benefits of cutting out a not-so-good-for-you ingredient. I don't have any health issues that require me to avoid gluten at all costs, but when I started having some odd health issues a couple of months ago, I started looking into what I eat as a possible cause. One of the ingredients I cut back on drastically is gluten. I admit, I still eat foods with gluten, but I have learned a lot about how to eat yummy foods that are gluten-free. In addition to my reasons, I have also had many people ask me if I make any gluten-free cupcakes. I had never tried before for fear of creating a brick with frosting on it, but I have taken the plunge and I am so excited to say it IS possible to make great tasting gluten-free cupcakes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My first venture was relatively simple: vanilla and chocolate. Why not start out with the classics?! Take a peek:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-MLtn-I02wa27MkQRb8FRw4AL8FmocNNd52-WrJJKv1p74YyryFvyOcA-jMIJJmjJV9v3zERTCRwPgEfCDQx-iTJRLMPYLYuigLRzUKtwxeg8GvE83ltjE47sf9imSyXJNPQnasp/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-MLtn-I02wa27MkQRb8FRw4AL8FmocNNd52-WrJJKv1p74YyryFvyOcA-jMIJJmjJV9v3zERTCRwPgEfCDQx-iTJRLMPYLYuigLRzUKtwxeg8GvE83ltjE47sf9imSyXJNPQnasp/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uDJESFCuUhsjyyHFcJRH89oZHYZaoMzy6s39cHs14bk2xysVXcYteW27zhtVHhf4jJ54rpVeuRThHz-h6KwRB_epblYlqqMifBPPxR7Eim_BH2sO7q3NnpUVb1HhoJtqDcGN8iKm/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wQkrYUye1TkV-8NxmPsiZk1N4TS8tSVTZM-hDhMucr5EIDUHOeOEPvzdYGnhhsyJ6sWuMtHBLjJmLnDdVwVenx-9LBaAvCK4tA6hyphenhyphenLcEUT7JdO8AUYlWLqtwZSPb70Erzybdtt9i/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was pretty surprised with how much height these little guys got, I figured they would be sort of flat. I topped them with a Hershey's syrup chocolate buttercream (and, yes, I checked the Hershey website and the syrup is gluten-free).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Take a look at how soft and moist they look inside:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyqw4FF42TRFNv_rf9vu4wSJGYXRYEXIUBJYSj1EuWKf_N8pDYWREjDKMCxP6Fh0VyvdxUKBFCpy2-XS8-gUFNxx1JFYRUCEz5GGZwCg5prTI_6r_CMBSnoqp_V6cPT1ttTlKucW0/s400/008.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkeKUkUr_2wnF1yH13gWZ_-sSMfvX49D_SmtQayYXVJAd8-SNT1resMuLt5y5g70RExP_6WIJjcwBAcZFKNq5gUOprufYICb_dn-SGl_voG2fHIxJaYAjTt5DrvBZM2cYLFhCjDtV/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkeKUkUr_2wnF1yH13gWZ_-sSMfvX49D_SmtQayYXVJAd8-SNT1resMuLt5y5g70RExP_6WIJjcwBAcZFKNq5gUOprufYICb_dn-SGl_voG2fHIxJaYAjTt5DrvBZM2cYLFhCjDtV/s400/015.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">And just in case you think they only <em>look </em>good, they were kid approved!<br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS5Qxj6dkvbfPEAm-I_77kswrJhTCZzjJPIlCIiE2tSb9DwhEXISfVLfCNPZFeW_6Q9S2AZvdYuYPjz_vtvfc64cOLMcyXV8tankjlqsQENicSUoninjC09H5h94BbwnoKmE9Pkjc/s400/012.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan got the first bite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoEOMm07svZLeLULlBTn0Bc6IPHdjinnt6WKjEhjKUHrcs67yDl2n98Ii91sA-KZEBK08ePjrRw0SeQ_NWk2jrdTY3-6Xd9iqYgMXel0k39YqU7ZBJedDmujsz8ouGAopwbriS73k/s400/022.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah usually only eats the frosting, but this time she ate the cake, too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KpAhMYiNscyx1LuSEaak-2CuRhHgzhTOF0RX7QiMW2neCqvTRv9LVl_v9PrsOLqnpMBZKLbVMIR_u_t8bDKwpUNXCfjvVX2uErDcKgkxkXXWp8nwx2NKt9jpUU09xB5Qi1FuKTSG/s400/023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 15-month old, Abby, also endorsed the treats. Gotta love the crazy bed-head!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<em>Responsible Mom Disclaimer</em> here: No, my kids don't eat cupcakes all day everyday. This is a treat!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>So, if you have been looking for a delicious gluten-free cupcake, look no further. Give me a call or email me for your next gluten-free cupcake order!</strong></span><br />
<br />
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong><br />
The recipe I used for the vanilla called for lemon juice. I was out of it and too lazy to go to the store for a single lemon. If this happens to you, you can substitute vinegar for the lemon juice and the recipe will turn out just as well!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-71069485473584462512013-02-01T19:53:00.001-05:002013-02-10T19:41:53.895-05:00A Box of ChocolatesWho doesn't love getting a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day, or any day for that matter? Well, here is an alternative to that plain ol' box of chocolates...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XdMu3aHOlf3HfBnStOSDb68C81G4KAT1x4jcbq8tS7w7tUNZrj9QKrSOiVPM5AnimU7WFyEPmOcRHFvU-09iPwhHexOsCU1s0NFD8G4dMhXPiHk5kAeX74GCFBiLdjCvGQk968K9/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XdMu3aHOlf3HfBnStOSDb68C81G4KAT1x4jcbq8tS7w7tUNZrj9QKrSOiVPM5AnimU7WFyEPmOcRHFvU-09iPwhHexOsCU1s0NFD8G4dMhXPiHk5kAeX74GCFBiLdjCvGQk968K9/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here is a box of chocolate mini-cupcakes filled with a delicious center and topped with a decadent chocolate ganache and decorated with some white chocolate. The fillings? Caramel, marshmallow cream, strawberry mousse and chocolate mousse. Are you drooling yet?! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFJ0f7qND5Wp5tdAQyOjqL0jzSL6H3CYt4lEWjuDQQIp2aRn011wllfyN_DXwvp0Zoyv77k4D_NRqsdHNeh5sMElTwAFPBEM61SX1liyJ_S7eHLGWKmRMoB2jbWF0VK8UXdp70WNV/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFJ0f7qND5Wp5tdAQyOjqL0jzSL6H3CYt4lEWjuDQQIp2aRn011wllfyN_DXwvp0Zoyv77k4D_NRqsdHNeh5sMElTwAFPBEM61SX1liyJ_S7eHLGWKmRMoB2jbWF0VK8UXdp70WNV/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was playing around with the decorations, I can put pretty much whatever you want on them with the white chocolate, even write a little message to your special someone!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJIfo8XtBTADleR3jgjtKtkVpXqu8fV7dJcQ5VgfydBmMm8nGY6-alboVibIk_KIHn6P_n-cYrBit3mcr4KdxLc0oxL94WRsp1KekGBN6Qmy2_qFxR3s5rpHaXOMgstTlBz8T3y35/s640/017.JPG" /><br />
<br />
These cupcakes will come to you in a pretty box, all ready for your special Valentine!<br />
<br />
And if you would prefer something a little different and a little lighter, don't forget about the Angel food cupcakes, made with your choice of either strawberry buttercream or strawberry whipped cream!<br />
Valentine's Day seriously doesn't get any easier than this, folks! Place your order today for a divine treat for that special someone.<br />
<br />
For the month of February:<br />
Angel Food Cupcakes - individual cupcakes: $2<br />
box of 4: $6<br />
half dozen: $10<br />
Box of Chocolate Mini-Cupcakes - half dozen: $8<br />
dozen: $16<br />
<strong>If you are interested in another quantity or specific flavor combinations, email or call Yellowroses Cupcakes at 717-725-5499 or <a href="mailto:yellowrosescupcakes@gmail.com">yellowrosescupcakes@gmail.com</a></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-68671217282504033082013-01-30T21:32:00.003-05:002013-01-30T21:32:54.643-05:00A Little Piece of HeavenI tried making an angel food cake once. Yeah...let's just say it was NOT a success. I have been intimidated ever since. But with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I have been trying to come up with some delicious recipes to share. I know I am going to make something with chocolate, because nothing says Valentine's Day like chocolate. However, I kept coming back to Angel food cupcakes. So, I went for the plunge and tried a new recipe-Angel Food Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream. These little babies are literally a piece of Heaven-so light and sweet. I think they will be a great alternative for those folks who don't like chocolate.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoDZDlWW57aSKp0_h-kSdcTR58vxJgtASD_g4LBRMkxttcH6pX8sJJEjFXWQsqfqep-XH8iYbg0Qe3LZbLjZsj9DkxF0O5whNIp2lHLlWbEyqARMzkrN3wh9eFQRIw4LCyt_kzCfN/s1600/543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoDZDlWW57aSKp0_h-kSdcTR58vxJgtASD_g4LBRMkxttcH6pX8sJJEjFXWQsqfqep-XH8iYbg0Qe3LZbLjZsj9DkxF0O5whNIp2lHLlWbEyqARMzkrN3wh9eFQRIw4LCyt_kzCfN/s640/543.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I opted for strawberry buttercream because it just seemed like the indulgent thing to do! However, I have a feeling some strawberry whipped cream would be just as yummy (and maybe a little easier on the waistline!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ0mxKNcBs3fYKQkFDlxDLH3E7PdvZS3GuRnbvI9uP3sBzE_nc12drlT8_sRuBeoq2mOiqJwMdJ2n9WZmIi9K9QLPTz6R9u5thAXW1AYJw0RYS-k3Zbb7_gcQC2X0mOERdkBLbgo6/s640/537.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was literally the lightest and fluffiest batter! It became a cloud of goodness as the egg whites were whipped</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="height: 514px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; width: 652px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2WgOoIsskv5sMEk4yxrxaOegl41sZk888EP9IMLtEn3jEjx1uYKfn8AI-BqF0ft3U0refl2ivqxXFN2pQYee74v-NZpvQ6d6auZc2hTOEFrKhjA-VLe_OGtuKmgzyKO-PQUJ2PNG/s640/541.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at them baking to perfection!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMQ-ufVY9UGOSYpRQXWb1NY3kiTUKUCr8igDttikxMfVBChp9wfg5QxYTLqGi4emrn42rWY6mN_wqHbc3Ss6aAUNTE2AoQ8TnFVSH5wEEtMC-d11bYT-Am-DCrZB6tluMoyUMp4RI/s640/547.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Sigh* So good. The only thing that could make this better is this...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br /> <img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV6TgQFl7UKA0GjnoGzSVqrrJnSibPg3Q_jIqI_rpNcUq1pSbR9mZI-t1CgtejUMOJXYR522opdU55-3lE5IXDWRw31L9jfcS16mDfkeIE0JpG25QQ_B226IdHpj189-nJo5HEDxS/s400/choc+cov+str.png" width="400" /><br /> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For the month of February, orders of these delicious angel food cupcakes will include a chocolate-covered strawberry garnish. If you weren't sold before, you should be now!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am still working on that gluten-free cupcake for all of you that have been waiting. The big reveal will be coming! Also, as I said before, I have a special chocolate treat for Valentine's Day in the works. Check back in the next day or so for a post about it! So, share with your special someone something a little different than chocolates and flowers (or maybe use this as a hint for your own treat!).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The recipe I use for these cupcakes called for super fine sugar. A simple way to make your own super fine sugar is to put granulated sugar into a food processor and grind it for about 2 minutes. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-88656385417414304752013-01-10T21:02:00.003-05:002013-01-10T21:02:56.178-05:00Catching up!<div style="text-align: left;">
It has been awhile since I have written a post-sorry about that! The holiday season was CRAZY! I am sure many of you understand and had equally busy holiday seasons. Below are some of the fruits of my holiday season labor, proof that I wasn't too busy to do some baking...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; height: 352px; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; width: 653px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9O1-LLr7R0CmlEMVlnfoISV5_Xq3JszjDTr9cukr4O1KsMD7xnFVEVDqYQAnqDgALd0ckUzqj4cB3oe7FFLEoCEvfi35KKm_hV7vlmDHiHO8AjoHZkX82tpymna_OwOi1bbzgd3Q/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9O1-LLr7R0CmlEMVlnfoISV5_Xq3JszjDTr9cukr4O1KsMD7xnFVEVDqYQAnqDgALd0ckUzqj4cB3oe7FFLEoCEvfi35KKm_hV7vlmDHiHO8AjoHZkX82tpymna_OwOi1bbzgd3Q/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are shark fin cupcakes that I made for my son's 6th birthday. <br />
The fins are made of fondant which I free-hand cut out and shaped. <br />
They were a big hit with his classmates!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sSvkA4Mo4WdNprxE1pfGOoGVO2qDoBgMIQdrBOdfas58JxrGZwhUxVjpARydXqvGbYrU97ov2ViwrouifE9T2haLsWK6s4HxANIWc4VQ3ndaP5eLwKvC-FP9y3BUaxZ5M4phhyphenhyphenyK/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sSvkA4Mo4WdNprxE1pfGOoGVO2qDoBgMIQdrBOdfas58JxrGZwhUxVjpARydXqvGbYrU97ov2ViwrouifE9T2haLsWK6s4HxANIWc4VQ3ndaP5eLwKvC-FP9y3BUaxZ5M4phhyphenhyphenyK/s400/084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Christmas dinner with the family, I made a vanilla cake with a raspberry filling. I then finished it with a yummy buttercream frosting. I experimented with gum paste for the first time and made a simple winter scene, complete with a bow and label!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4N9d9sY9HfijixcJCcRG2rWQoeAlCnHhLY86rgAjiACuOH1nmZdOSTiM2F6fiiOkEmI1i12s_orcutK5QCaGLFfkoe3h3HlcPRquv42inpkmLRjE7BGUtkufobPBte6g11xB2GuWX/s400/088.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found a You Tube video that showed me how to make a tree from rolling out some gum paste and shaping. The bow was sort of a free form that I tried. I ran out of red food dye, so I used a burgundy, which made for a pretty alternative.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UgibfzufFC3Vg5QGY5pCyiC97q-N5JX99GQljgXiOn5ox6ZuMZ2sMlkBBZ1gNk_IZJDLgRpcB35ZuwWvzfr1i6udKi65dBWG-n4SRKllbRAaYSmsH0eTQTcSBxnVGMddcqrV64yA/s400/090.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw this cute little idea somewhere online and thought it would be a cute way to wish the family "Merry Christmas!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiaPchkz_Z849AiM94HvhJg2GEry1eVSUeqxvb9FOLht-llpv5mdgHRiyPlaBwB1xz35SN8PWrFkq9dZII1LvgEp38QJBvqf8Pwabf1bJj8jWAzZ1GCi08DEDTZe6Z288v1HzPJbC/s400/091.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also found a nifty little tool that allowed me to add texture to the buttercream, and then for some added decoration, I added a gum paste dot :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mD3jPDbSULkwxfvx6uezgDHH28VUcqRdZLsWtDFzlJ6HdlgqxgXZyU3aQ_RlgyBkuuqw-Ebqs-npH173CULrLdoniBXJnNKo5UmqIEnVTOllePSfG6Ql_v4A3YFVlTb-TngztrDz/s400/085.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cfOCac34rq6cGBj1BQ1WaGzcUMP13Vj6ZG-8HzEw-5qmxmjE4h6Xa2Q6H-jvXRDnUn1YEz3BsSz8WjrrX7BfHFhC7EfWG9VVU1YhGZ5wzOI1B7-VZk8xISKaPhqBGprV7Ayrk_lx/s400/264.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband and I hosted a holiday potluck dinner for some friends, and these little treats were their gifts for the dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jLCBlUhDYkH0MmMhrgR_69Knh88dKk0WdGMv2QFwfZWHnUN8eit9JhW9zNHHTBRwEiKUqzmR2NyF0PDcr6J3F1aeXWAGDTkW9AD3VMYkwXI3AsE9iaJN4CbGqeIM4dWLIYt5S24Q/s400/261.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are a chocolate cake, cut out and covered in melted chocolate (both dark and white chocolate), finished with some piped buttercream and a sugar rose on top. Now, I confess, I did not make the rose, but the rest is home made. I think sugar roses are my next challenge :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, I haven't been sitting around not baking, I just didn't have the time to blog about it! Also, there was a strawberry-cheesecake filled cupcake thrown in there as a new flavor (pics to come, so check back soon). My next baking challenge is a gluten-free cupcakes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Tip of the Blog:</strong></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While covering cake in melted chocolate tastes fantastic, it can be a bit tricky. For best results, keep the cake cold and it shouldn't fall apart. Oh, and be super careful-melted chocolate is HOT (seems obvious, but I thought I should emphasize that).</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-12557604266645914362012-12-19T23:07:00.004-05:002012-12-19T23:07:48.414-05:00Sweet meet Salty (Caramel)It has been a while since I have posted, sorry about that. The holiday season has been busy to say the least, but I have been trying new recipes. And the star cupcake I have recently taken on is the chocolate salted caramel cupcake! It just sounds decadent, doesn't it? A friend of mine asked me to try and make one for her. It is a chocolate cupcake with salted caramel filling and a salted caramel buttercream. Take a look...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKcOxeI0uxywQMpyaTSLxSvheJXP3ymliRh-qcgxn58usOmzwfC7N2BJjb8NDhzsDR_NIDs7j-Hoyw93bhU4N132T9ZFuNTLsuaTH_4M9qZKaDjnyxHQoB-Tf-km8NlKQHYTCj3YB/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKcOxeI0uxywQMpyaTSLxSvheJXP3ymliRh-qcgxn58usOmzwfC7N2BJjb8NDhzsDR_NIDs7j-Hoyw93bhU4N132T9ZFuNTLsuaTH_4M9qZKaDjnyxHQoB-Tf-km8NlKQHYTCj3YB/s640/012.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't see it very well, but on top of the caramel drizzle is a sprinkling of sea salt...sweet and salty in one awesome bite!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Did I mention that this is a homemade creamy salted caramel? It doesn't get any better than that! Here is how it happens...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiH4eo-GIuXIX1KC4l0mM34bq1eSnpv14cFMRtZuFRwmEnfpJJAlS0Y_JSrvQYrgiwoUZq8qlr4OgraUtpfA_7tm9H0mqUiQoomGS0vQ_axAG6EPnPqtYSuwgaehnn9zthZatLSfD/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiH4eo-GIuXIX1KC4l0mM34bq1eSnpv14cFMRtZuFRwmEnfpJJAlS0Y_JSrvQYrgiwoUZq8qlr4OgraUtpfA_7tm9H0mqUiQoomGS0vQ_axAG6EPnPqtYSuwgaehnn9zthZatLSfD/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is how it starts...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbkMlOSl00Wx7LmpZXE-wQJiF1hLWi2kPBodOOGx0FNC_XgUo-eyN1GU-Lf3_eCkjyQ4u6jJXEm9Z8_wm5rNqtv-7EETttvl_WoV__oJNG5_dcYTMQwB7v1006HlCT4Um5175lQK_/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbkMlOSl00Wx7LmpZXE-wQJiF1hLWi2kPBodOOGx0FNC_XgUo-eyN1GU-Lf3_eCkjyQ4u6jJXEm9Z8_wm5rNqtv-7EETttvl_WoV__oJNG5_dcYTMQwB7v1006HlCT4Um5175lQK_/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">then it starts to look like this, then...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2nAAZJDIL56-RFCXNs6p9KLjwZmvL_k0lzw5OlKxASSnTirjz2EbwusOfYVjOc-_p_5D6zuaaDgIOvuKgZrWaB0lJyZ5LaiP22_YLhPUAEKYGh5QC8fQl9O_onJnuYkjf_ZIJKiv/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2nAAZJDIL56-RFCXNs6p9KLjwZmvL_k0lzw5OlKxASSnTirjz2EbwusOfYVjOc-_p_5D6zuaaDgIOvuKgZrWaB0lJyZ5LaiP22_YLhPUAEKYGh5QC8fQl9O_onJnuYkjf_ZIJKiv/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I add some of this, and...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XaBduZCe1C5_3K_Ud_1A3p790nl3ir7i138kq8cPhseTlhNGz30-LNUI3-dDd9Er5igHl-i5WC_3pK-rWMj8jENqOSgbz_fQNMztwL31kwmCYJtP7XuCmZB9MDxAbFKr4XYjMmXM/s320/006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">this is how it ends up!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgBfW60umQLjQfy-iNkQG5M6daz8kQ8wuPeRO63gOk860Xlod-Y9IM-VBL-alqn6QAdrGj5NZREtITz4Sx9YpPAvpkwpcUCKJlyz9VX1aDySHfxNV7Z8u2m0ukE5oWA7-xVd_I57m/s320/007.JPG" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPs0INs5uEku1AI4K0nI5WDncCg6lmoTlOMsoGs371G47Ch9nqKMGGSDEClBc6V69OwsGh_z2l1pvfz9i3gJ6lQL7AjyfIEjtAp3Vwfjs4xWzG6BdDHtEfpVjjOngMm3fuY8mIyZ9/s320/008.JPG" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mean, look how yummy that looks. Combine with chocolate and...heaven!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD1I1X1l-ceg_CcogPBI-6B332TgWF5XfPgE6EH028BxPVaAqQyi5ku93WId5ezkSTKqLVtsz_eAphrFpoo1rhv-HI0beLOCs2ouEPX6lGeQ2roieYY9OMhgbbr0-7Cxfx55odK0z/s640/015.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You might need to fight the urge to lick your computer screen :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />So, what do you think of these treats? Any ideas on new cupcake flavors I can try? I can tell you that I plan to tackle a gluten-free cupcake soon, so stay tuned.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Congrats to Ruth, who won December's drawing for a free dozen cupcakes!! Check back again in January for another drawing.</span></em><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><strong>Tip of the Blog:</strong></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When doing anything involving cooking sugar, be very careful-it gets extremely hot! Always make sure that it doesn't splatter and it's best not to stick your finger in it to test it-you might end up with a sore finger. To give you an idea how hot the sugar needs to be to be completely melted and ready to finish a caramel sauce, it has to be at a temperature of 350 degrees-ouch! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-45758887200093829312012-12-04T21:06:00.001-05:002012-12-04T21:06:16.902-05:00It's Beginning to Look a lot like...well, you know!Christmas is my all-time favorite time of year. My family celebrates the birth of Jesus and everything the season has to offer. I came up with a couple of holiday-inspired cupcakes to get in the mood: orange-cranberry and mint chocolate chip. And to try out how well these flavors worked, I had the opportunity to be a vendor at a local craft fair this past weekend. I have never sold at a craft fair before, so this was a bit of a nerve-wracking experience. How many cupcakes do I make? How to showcase them? How well will they sell? I ended up making over 300 (yes, folks, 300!) cupcakes. I made my holiday cupcakes as well as Snickerdoodles. Thankfully, I had a good friend help me (again, thank you Denise!!). I think I overestimated how many cupcakes I would need, but I got great feedback on my cupcakes. The fair was successful, though, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Take a look at my table and these delicious cupcakes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7vgA-n1FiHzctP4D6qg6kSi7Jt66k94VOdUfK8C7F8WmU7x6z21PxOb7qJ1IUCwY54TucVyQuNHoB_kUP1BRDt9FjTuqGAH7TyOV0eDHuMAa2Ymz1kdJNQvwoVkAViVoRCTMWqj0/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7vgA-n1FiHzctP4D6qg6kSi7Jt66k94VOdUfK8C7F8WmU7x6z21PxOb7qJ1IUCwY54TucVyQuNHoB_kUP1BRDt9FjTuqGAH7TyOV0eDHuMAa2Ymz1kdJNQvwoVkAViVoRCTMWqj0/s640/018.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ca27pbSJEmhsF9w82R2repKlePHorRy97haN-U4izIqrtmxVLEpRjJmscNnsQDw9Ag4kmEWLZGEMcT3HAyohtUh5rXW1pgEb8R0U_WnqPpURb1cmTQCl7lXETuJdV2kAE0ObELbz/s640/014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am...freezing! It was pretty chilly in the building. Luckily, my sweet hubby went home and got me some boots!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2TrjA5qRgkgDxUdMEmtXRncWBAIfvVgG-LBBcL4fnfz4G8WnuoA4LJxnl_XVsAhljxc5JhjV5u0z8o_bqdLoi83WNESdTqhHZuH6nmP5LqBUij5pocNW-2hw2s5uuAMEaEjCJA-l/s640/020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used frames to display the price list and a flyer describing the business</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0_EJIJS5Q3QecSTf_hGC5ZJJqToi4oQdwDr02VHfYc-9qNIg8IRufy10INKdtqc58pgwn8asDPfiEqi4vhDXf1oikCMmmhG87kyyuuK-evuPt3arEWi6bu_5kMWjeASu3ZDiVcjW/s640/003.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranberry-Orange with Orange Buttercream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6Fe1OYI1ncCrUbUMIgJCisuZA6KpegKtP_-MDQatTYTtEHHIJVmOkr5ql-LZDa1IyzqfMhJtmj9Uky0xvcuwGq5B4K8bji12saEenphwlBK1mBe69tXQr07mxgfgyBtLIxAWBh1G/s640/005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mint Chocolate Chip with Mint Buttercream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwRCnS56_6L4CK0-y2zN0cqSmZGvcjkI0xihtV0nTsbTopuk_HTfmRULZ9T6AZ8PJkwusDj82LgbnfG6i3-T2LPbeXslUV-nLQ33f6s6V_LPzGtzm_v5QuDU4nfRovk5P4wLxVS8f/s640/009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snickerdoodle with Cinnamon Buttercream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I said before, I had such a great time and enjoyed seeing all the other vendors. I even got some Christmas shopping done! <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, since my first random drawing was such a success, I am going to do another one for December. Go to my Facebook page and find the picture of the Mint Chocolate Chip cupcakes and "like" it by December 18th. If you win, you can pick between either the Cranberry-Orange or the Mint Chocolate Chip to have delivered by Christmas!</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong><br />
The Cranberry-Orange cupcakes were garnished with orange peel. When grating any fruit peel (called the zest), be cautious to only grate the outer peel and not the white pith underneath. The pith is bitter and will take away from the sweetness of the zest. If you are looking to add some great flavor to a batter, zest is the way to go!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-12895392059291917902012-11-17T23:08:00.001-05:002012-11-17T23:08:53.340-05:00Cake Making 101Let me start by saying thank you to everyone who entered Yellowroses Cupcakes' first random drawing. I had over 100 entries, which I think is awesome for a first-time drawing! And congratulations to Janis, who won the free dozen pumpkin cupcakes!! <br />
<br />
I am furiously working on two new flavors for December, and hopefully they will make you think holiday thoughts. Check back soon!<br />
<br />
In the meantime, my youngest daughter, Abby, turned one yesterday. We had a party for her, and I made her a cake. That's right, the cupcake lady made her child a cake. And it took a lot of time, a lot of patience and a very steady hand! It was a caterpillar made of five separate cakes. I could have made Abby some very yummy cupcakes, but I have been wanting to expand my skills and what better way than with a delicious birthday cake?!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kg9CI5NfoOGZ66rvbE41_3qb6L02xI4YrAto88Lbgf6KqTqVp_08q_3RzRalHr6ZvXZUUdsE2de7E6dcALw6LbXyBaX0AUf41LCkmNu3lPnCXLQGdjcNXDf-1X3MS9fq2CHJXELs/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kg9CI5NfoOGZ66rvbE41_3qb6L02xI4YrAto88Lbgf6KqTqVp_08q_3RzRalHr6ZvXZUUdsE2de7E6dcALw6LbXyBaX0AUf41LCkmNu3lPnCXLQGdjcNXDf-1X3MS9fq2CHJXELs/s400/076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday girl enjoying her cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_PnQxY6o6PpFep2VNpVBMcryJmKDLAkfMiqJyMkmo5RBttsDWLVzpUUt8scVtR6cJ8f4dKP9yTJtIc8EmWo_5ZRMkF4GC6RNLViCdG8xf_heuZzBvk63aE-wlElup8EYAC2wL2Yr/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_PnQxY6o6PpFep2VNpVBMcryJmKDLAkfMiqJyMkmo5RBttsDWLVzpUUt8scVtR6cJ8f4dKP9yTJtIc8EmWo_5ZRMkF4GC6RNLViCdG8xf_heuZzBvk63aE-wlElup8EYAC2wL2Yr/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here is a little breakdown of what is going on here. The yellow and blue cakes are chocolate and the pink cakes are Snickerdoodle. The frosting is buttercream, piped on to look like stars:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgDrvwPTF9KXys9euqiYsyOOb1zErEGNb2waQK4fMhp14wPHmnfqsRMuxgmQ5LD6aBiA3VJSHx9OJHNo4nyec3WTJxnCx_PGBnZ4mt3CCJUCLDM-mZrkiIuoS2vEtv3niKx0MXlPT/s400/111.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8y1MSAO6s-3UAsv0rrAjCzZUNFe6v2sRKgXpGejI1LZg2gNxPNTngAZV5ueJj2jjDzzc_PLaNgE63wcGvElmc2p0LMPnk7qdolw8ry0myvlOfj2o5n0Js7FMD2NDnE2OVHS4MC9D/s1600/112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8y1MSAO6s-3UAsv0rrAjCzZUNFe6v2sRKgXpGejI1LZg2gNxPNTngAZV5ueJj2jjDzzc_PLaNgE63wcGvElmc2p0LMPnk7qdolw8ry0myvlOfj2o5n0Js7FMD2NDnE2OVHS4MC9D/s400/112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The face is chocolate candies and Twizzlers. I spelled Abby's name out with fondant, held up with lollipop sticks:<br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvXf0cUM9i8XUayLQLUFb3kixq7WO8XeMxHYhhVQiYSQHqxeaw91rUNmOnkHvHNY52GnVchJKButQD1oP36c5FiWc0UGq_YytXG5p16KtGeeZspTZDWoaaugPFexEAIe9la9Sd5Ne/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, and the little jelly beans are the feet!</div>
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgnd-zlNhuC-TxKfaPM8VOIrrGHoT8mTyBJjMvHx34vK-l059QmtjhQBEICXJpaKT8KSLUCyiuMhXdL66pKNEb8lZyhjzCFTiWIQitrtGBHczf8g4SaHn9MNMObE_4ecEWR3DKBW_/s640/027.JPG" width="480" /><br />
I have a long way to go before cake decorating will be part of my business, but it is a lot of fun to practice and create cakes. But, back to the cupcake making I go!<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong><br />
One way to create lighter cakes is to sift the flour. Using a simple mesh strainer, pour your leveled measuring cup of flour through the mesh. This will add more air to the flour, which helps produce a lighter cake.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-78868070814490069702012-11-04T12:47:00.003-05:002012-11-04T12:47:57.110-05:00Pumpkin Special!So, we just celebrated Halloween (for those that celebrate it), and now we are in the full swing of the holiday season. Here is a pic of my kids all dressed up:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxEjm8Nube-dF1XtG15E24nCERZKKySWSMZVy_HeFsHw9nONcEIFlhIeXKn_kn5TTPxiPEtT2oM2kV1GtmncO37XR4xLfHZtYIeqW_vzKlbceXbBKPS9L7_gS2p75kmt0BHulYzwS/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxEjm8Nube-dF1XtG15E24nCERZKKySWSMZVy_HeFsHw9nONcEIFlhIeXKn_kn5TTPxiPEtT2oM2kV1GtmncO37XR4xLfHZtYIeqW_vzKlbceXbBKPS9L7_gS2p75kmt0BHulYzwS/s400/014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a bug/insect theme this year: Ethan is an ant, Hannah is my ladybug and Abby is our little bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Doesn't it seem like the holiday season is starting earlier and earlier every year?! I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is definitely my favorite time of year, but I am not too sure about seeing Christmas decorations one aisle away aisle from the skulls and cauldrons for Halloween in October! Anyway, I want to help YOU celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday by offering up a great deal on my delicious pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. So, if you order a dozen or more of these treats by Friday, Nov. 16th, they will be $20/dozen (that is a 20% discount from a regular dozen!). Just think, you can bring something yummy to the Thanksgiving table without lifting a finger! And for those folks with smaller needs, a half dozen will run you only $10! Oh and did you know that I make mini-cupcakes as well? Two dozen mini's are only $16. Just think of all the time you will save not having to go get the ingredients and bake and decorate. These would be a great alternative to pumpkin pie, or as fun little treats before or after the big meal. If you enjoy decorations on your cupcakes, I am more than happy to make chocolate or fondant pumpkins or fall leaves as a decoration for $2/dozen. To add to all this holiday cheer, if you like my Facebook page, find the picture of my pumpkin cupcakes (posted Nov. 4th). If you "like" this picture, you will be entered into a drawing to win a free dozen pumpkin cupcakes to be delivered the week of Thanksgiving!! That drawing will also end on Nov. 16th, so better make a stop on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/yellowrosescupcakes" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/yellowrosescupcakes</a>. To give you a glimpse of what you can take home, see below!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZ1ilITB3amE1XhEyhVNuwxgAeB5DMV6ZBgQP55nwLcuR6MTzK2OJNB32jaqSfmQ1QY8l7ExJ-YHPMgzwnIm2NlT9C8fEbZNGVlYBFz4TYHwxnBVz6i9YdfzIcbuA2HAKhaKm1xJJ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZ1ilITB3amE1XhEyhVNuwxgAeB5DMV6ZBgQP55nwLcuR6MTzK2OJNB32jaqSfmQ1QY8l7ExJ-YHPMgzwnIm2NlT9C8fEbZNGVlYBFz4TYHwxnBVz6i9YdfzIcbuA2HAKhaKm1xJJ/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention these are made with brown butter? It adds so much flavor-too bad your computer is not scratch and sniff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCJ7mgoaSL3tCZaDYK6-xwPQC4wb3eVjf8Z6SDR-7IsF-kyAI8ADnONSytz_4cI1VdQnMz8FP_UW7o36CpLehrk9K0gaCOsdAcOKWsmIO7GfEcuCABjinDKYbKouVKbz4vW9o1JgU/s640/006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fondant leaf decoration-how festive would this look on your Thanksgiving table?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When baking, always have your ingredients at room temperature. Even your eggs, milk or buttermilk and butter. This will help the ingredients to mix together better with less mixing, which can cause dry cake. There is no problem letting your butter and eggs sit out overnight, it can take a few hours for them to come to room temperature. However, if you are short on time or forgot to let everything come to the same temperature, you can simple immerse your eggs in warm water and soften your butter in the microwave (don't let your butter melt, unless the directions say to do so!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't "liked" my Facebook page yet, here is the link again:</span> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/yellowrosescupcakes" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/yellowrosescupcakes</a></em></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>.</em></strong> <strong><em>This is a great way to keep up to date on specials and discounts!!</em></strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-64939318176313030892012-10-25T22:40:00.002-04:002012-10-25T22:40:45.925-04:00First Day on the job!Yesterday was my first day using the community kitchen to make my first cupcakes as a REAL cupcake business! I am renting kitchen space from an awesome place in Lancaster, called East Side Community Kitchen. It is a great place for new businesses who are trying to get a good start and for businesses that don't have or want a storefront. Some of the people who use this kitchen are private chefs, caterers, a gourmet dog treat business and a biscotti business. I am definitely in good company!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wwun0WOP4Fx2LnmSMtRLD-DybygDpYa3XajbMXNulWJngfo3fpHlwrhRQP3T0xjlJBqlXi47RrowpeQycaAkddbknkw3uVuMS7OblFnNdvUal66x0dw-0CiOkLeXMDu5fsAEXj3w/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wwun0WOP4Fx2LnmSMtRLD-DybygDpYa3XajbMXNulWJngfo3fpHlwrhRQP3T0xjlJBqlXi47RrowpeQycaAkddbknkw3uVuMS7OblFnNdvUal66x0dw-0CiOkLeXMDu5fsAEXj3w/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
I got to the kitchen very early and was able to bake in peace and quiet (it was still dark out, kinda eery!). <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_p-bYk1peFxFDOMdyKvVo98arKYDCzFuP79a7iKBl7kP8d_020eAg6lK0FxmQoPOvdS3GMCB53IaIfv7cKdly4HMKacTTB_8EnTJzQIuda_iGRVLHj4xmviFbTV-gpibKYaKwR2b/s400/002.JPG" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ACoyFxAcOCGR1qbiUBG9yU3tXSzj3Di1nYFlrQ3uq3jcF5zNngn_jyv7hlesJRlNQq7aPF2piefePxhudWkWwbKD9f864UMYWJRSxXvkpELI9Cfs1Tx2cLTCmx9oLyCpA3B4wnwv/s400/001.JPG" /> <br />
One of the commercial convection ovens and my baking station-there is so much space! <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsldw3AIYUQjjMalhbYJlLlrh3Ds3ZfrpAaMEaOLuu261LEtF-Mpu3dof93b9crY6rqZNrLRdvSwERChJiKu1Pjr0-LbxWpwJUw2w1zSx369iKx51TIG5SiXHTiPRiB01NQzSxIGR/s400/005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piping away!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_3HjXGhHuJCIdkKIDgrUg32BhWrl2WcLrR8rFd60rcDsSeNkpzNCSefD4hl93PfzoZ_gC15hO9QRQWnI0cTy_fk5FoXy_DXz6ylm9o4gVa3TbGT6Fe-gaiIOW0jIRmhaAQAsODUe/s400/010.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product, ready to be packaged!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtOwifEW3dQkyrK553Ug_RfmfDI6Y3qh4tyFuVuyZtOYSmkq7GfuRbpvFvQqlcgWAdR8F4keXpEaiwcwDouTflIByTmE-DK5-69L8g9-UAI88i-P8txBUGF77MmGAYId29ZOxyLIR/s400/009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very happy about starting a new adventure (don't look to close at the hair-it was <strong>really </strong>early!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I feel so blessed to have this chance to do something fun and creative. While this is not my full-time job (my priority is always my family), this is definitely a great venture as a baker and business owner. As always, if you are looking for some sweet treats for a party, birthday, wedding or a Saturday afternoon, give me a call and I will share my cupcakes!<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong><br />
If you are making cupcakes for a special occasion, but you don't need to use the entire batch at that time, you can freeze your cupcakes. Let them cool to room temperature, then wrap them individually with plastic wrap and place in a Ziploc bag. They will stay fresh for several months, just remove when ready to use and thaw, then frost. You can freeze frosted cupcakes, just let them set in the freezer for about 30 minutes, then wrap in plastic wrap. However, frosting with cream cheese, eggs or whipped cream should not be frozen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>My website is currently being created, but a temporary site is up. For some basic information, check it out!</em></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.yellowrosescupcakes.com/" target="_blank">http://www.yellowrosescupcakes.com</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-1103762053229185872012-10-22T21:20:00.000-04:002012-10-22T21:20:24.714-04:00Cupcake Business UpdateI am excited to be starting in the community kitchen where I am renting space! Wednesday will be my first time cooking in the kitchen!! To get you excited about what Yellowroses Cupcakes offers, I have a few pictures of some products I have made. My website is coming soon, but you can place your order by emailing me or calling me. However, I recently found out that my email was not set up correctly (this is why I bake, because I am technology challenged! I should have had my husband check things out to make sure I did them right!!). Here is my correct information:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Email: </strong></em></span><a href="mailto:yellowrosescupcakes@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>yellowrosescupcakes@gmail.com</strong></em></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Phone: 717-725-5499</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Facebook: </strong></em></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/yellowrosescupcakes"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>www.facebook.com/yellowrosescupcakes</strong></em></span></a><br />
<br />
I have also corrected my comments section, so feel free to leave comments or suggestions!<br />
<br />
There will be a pricing page on my website, but I will fill you in on what my prices are:<br />
<br />
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Standard
Cupcake......................................................................................................................$2.00/ea</span></span></div>
<br />
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jumbo
Cupcake............................................................................................................................$3.00/ea</span></span></div>
<br />
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mini
Cupcakes (dozen
minimun)............................................................................................$10/dozen</span></span></div>
<br />
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dozen
(standard
size).................................................................................................................$24</span></span></div>
<br />
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*
Orders of two dozen or more (standard
size).....................................................................$20/dozen</span></span></div>
<br />
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;">chocolate
or fondant
decorations..............................................................................................$2/dozen</span></span></div>
<br />
<div lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*
Sugar decoration can also be ordered, please call or email for
pricing and options</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Delivery
or Pick-up is available </b></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" lang="en" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Gabriola;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Delivery
is free within 10 miles of Ephrata. For deliveries beyond 10 miles,
there is a $10 delivery fee to cover the cost of fuel. Pick-up is
available in Lancaster at the East Side Community Kitchen, located at
347 North Plum Street, Lancaster. If you would like to arrange
pick-up, please call to set up a time.</span></span></div>
<br />
Now, on to the good stuff! I will post pics from the kitchen soon, so check back!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbXhYY4g2jydNt3BNHMVwhM9PIITT8TnwVRoY2dWfh8AS55Z3z9ARsNgVHVYKIzZeQnl5j3dCeksap8PgZn6WM5fKu2wz6k4U7-vRXAnQyOhnlukXshbFfHsV5BkytkXO2H1SE60q/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbXhYY4g2jydNt3BNHMVwhM9PIITT8TnwVRoY2dWfh8AS55Z3z9ARsNgVHVYKIzZeQnl5j3dCeksap8PgZn6WM5fKu2wz6k4U7-vRXAnQyOhnlukXshbFfHsV5BkytkXO2H1SE60q/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From furthest to closest: Snickerdoodle, Margarita, Chocolate w/Peanut Butter mousse filling and Banana w/chocolate mousse filling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCV_h_j6yT4ETZdkCCqxWhQmrc6uizzJqreDeclLNz0cTxvDDuKJIaRiLCnsS-x54HLU0FonU6O0yw2d9TWUNraBtc4t93y5x_-YyFtsmkQTGtXY-knfK93fi0TMLq7bCOPie9lVC-/s400/006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty packaging for yummy treats!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-69821878115703901252012-10-15T18:47:00.001-04:002012-10-15T18:47:15.705-04:00More than just a cupcake...As I mentioned on my previous post, cupcakes were originally baked in teacups before the invention of the muffin pan. When muffin pans came around, they were greased and floured to prevent the cupcake from sticking to the edges. Then came the invention of the cupcake liner, and "aahhhh"-it is now so easy to keep cupcakes from sticking! Cupcake liners have now become more than just plain paper cups, you can get them in practically every color and with designs to suit most occasions. There are also foil liners, silicone liners and Eco-friendly liners. There are occasions to not use liners, too. I have done some research and here are some interesting tips for choosing and using liners:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RZwfbpYeKQ_ypFYXbWqPV9EVJbYlAzVIJwNA93tDkZMYhSVCXT2QA6wRUf62x9kxESkcwEy6xhDIItL-r5LrgkOM6GEMLeJy7aMhcG06wiHSTB-llKTxucsZZBa65fEMR_hyzzJD/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RZwfbpYeKQ_ypFYXbWqPV9EVJbYlAzVIJwNA93tDkZMYhSVCXT2QA6wRUf62x9kxESkcwEy6xhDIItL-r5LrgkOM6GEMLeJy7aMhcG06wiHSTB-llKTxucsZZBa65fEMR_hyzzJD/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Paper liners come in all colors and designs now. As you can see from the small selection I currently have, you can get solid colors, fun designs for children's birthdays and more sophisticated liners. At one point, I used liners that resembled tulips to display my cupcakes. They looked like these (picture courtesy of CupcakeFashion on Etsy)...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-DE-Jo_dapuEVsMRMDh3lDSfeAdd94bpMNEt-ASNgOLd8VgA0LdyWCVfNfygd2eMA2t7Kk-t_vYbxvkMHBlZsHHOjjZRznzwcaA4XNGq9qtrqsvotXP1XPaVkeSNwwdnSWZPDSio/s1600/tulip+liners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-DE-Jo_dapuEVsMRMDh3lDSfeAdd94bpMNEt-ASNgOLd8VgA0LdyWCVfNfygd2eMA2t7Kk-t_vYbxvkMHBlZsHHOjjZRznzwcaA4XNGq9qtrqsvotXP1XPaVkeSNwwdnSWZPDSio/s400/tulip+liners.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
2. There are liners for mini-cupcakes, standard size and jumbo size cupcakes. I lucked out not too long ago at Michael's-they had birthday, striped and strawberry liner packs with both standard and mini sized liners on clearance!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeJL2QyrdGR-RjR57tpqdo37OCszJBnzWzTCGOrTVMROObcOTqoq5zXf-R7ODmP2lReb_QsGF9kWFsoIEf5xMe3_dUOJO8aLomImHEIaBWBmS7hOEZ-SUrstGEhiFKhp4lu_rN1D_/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeJL2QyrdGR-RjR57tpqdo37OCszJBnzWzTCGOrTVMROObcOTqoq5zXf-R7ODmP2lReb_QsGF9kWFsoIEf5xMe3_dUOJO8aLomImHEIaBWBmS7hOEZ-SUrstGEhiFKhp4lu_rN1D_/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfZ-L6C125Y4f16XMZP9bsVhupBqbxzTLbNtAr0JPDxHeghczhkvNl_hyJJ7gfaySouBP7XG3zPRuAZ64anJOBOrwbbZo79-QWefyXwJbFnMg410DgALxmLn6_C0C5ecUWi7D0H-f/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfZ-L6C125Y4f16XMZP9bsVhupBqbxzTLbNtAr0JPDxHeghczhkvNl_hyJJ7gfaySouBP7XG3zPRuAZ64anJOBOrwbbZo79-QWefyXwJbFnMg410DgALxmLn6_C0C5ecUWi7D0H-f/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. Foil liners are great to use for batters that are greasy-typically, ones that have a lot of butter. Foil liners are also fun to use because they can be a little glamorous looking. When I was trying out different vanilla recipes, I tried a recipe that used quite a bit of butter. When I used the foil liner, the cupcakes did not come out greasy, as opposed to when I used the paper liners. Let's face it, it isn't very appealing when you pick up a cupcake and the liner is all greasy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIje6wC9IT0-jeULQ2um2KDlMzWly-X5kINHqdS7PtRFDGtyZvU6egXRCb_22x_z6yAjTgqdOzNT1qWONkLulu9Z04WdX0XyCisIosUWPhyK26ZpRZYNhGM-HygpYAAa8EYS3EZKPm/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIje6wC9IT0-jeULQ2um2KDlMzWly-X5kINHqdS7PtRFDGtyZvU6egXRCb_22x_z6yAjTgqdOzNT1qWONkLulu9Z04WdX0XyCisIosUWPhyK26ZpRZYNhGM-HygpYAAa8EYS3EZKPm/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Silicone liners are another fun choice, they are able to be washed and reused. However, these sort of defeat the purpose of using liners since it is recommended to spray them with non-stick spray.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoA7hcA6NQReAe9RcYecUx5hVvyBvM7pCqwwpQPe7z6w9roWwE4A5665m5huVyt-4__jDZbqpb2OHByWsCrWXAJhzVV_1dtCN4tY4peohbgCy1m0hBoWPNFKNzULIrYZb5vUVRU3N/s400/silicone+liners.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture is from the website forsmallhands.com, who sells these silicone cups</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
5. Eco-friendly liners have become more popular. Eco-friendly liners are coated with silicone, which is a natural substance. It contains no metal toxins, namely a chrome-containing product called quilon. Eco-friendly liners may not be as pretty or have as many design options yet, but it is nice to know they are more earth-friendly. <br />
6. There are cases where using liners may not be the best choice. If you want to cover your cupcakes in fondant, it is a better idea to not bake them in liners. <br />
<br />
So, as you can see, the options for making a delicious cupcake extend to the many options available to display your creations. I personally think the liners are just as important as the decorations used!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikP2LB-4gNLD_E_NlXAbtew2AZIZ-2c92tpHqvPiM7QSJY78iQGEQs_VUD09JG7LwgTCir6-YrA7GVB8fCoj3fRq61nZWRqBCL-IiJZycNWiO49ISNadf1uhbywV8i2VxYo7nYufvI/s400/008.JPG" width="300" /></div>
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong><br />
If you are going to use a foil liner, keep a close eye out for your cupcakes. The batter may bake faster in a foil liner, and you don't want to over bake your yummy desserts! Also, if you are using foil liners, you don't necessarily have to use a muffin pan. Foil liners are typically sturdier than their paper counterparts. To use them without a muffin pan, simply line them up, with the sides not touching, on a baking sheet and fill as usual.<br />
<br />
I have been baking still, here is a pic of some cupcakes I made for a friend's son's birthday. They are a chocolate cake with a peanut butter mousse filling and a chocolate whipped frosting, complete with sports-themed liners and sports balls icing decorations!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41mYppoBgSlfSXLODOwmVvNF8xWIDrdva5M4hs1rvtlttD1QB0ZIIf4zK5xWbPdkTCXeFpTmwFlmLNi6OUOg5oMPXoSmV-dpjichCfiHw3UZ1mFD7jow0fpu3QcRTuxcytFPlFsEl/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">I am so excited to announce that the paperwork is done and I have heard back from the Health Dept-I am officially a licensed cupcake business!! I can now officially take orders! My website is under construction and should be up soon. Meanwhile, if you would like to place an order, you can either email me at: </span></em><a href="mailto:yellowrosescupcakes@gmail.com"><em><span style="font-size: large;">yellowrosescupcakes@gmail.com</span></em></a><em><span style="font-size: large;"> or facebook me. Once my website is up, I will post the link here. Check back for monthly specials and new flavors to come!</span></em><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-25439775186350243912012-10-05T14:54:00.003-04:002012-10-05T14:54:58.817-04:00All About the CupcakeI am currently between trying new recipes, so I thought I would talk a little about where cupcakes come from and some fun facts about them. But let's first get you hungry for a cupcake...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l0_R0xvsQfM_bL_EMg0EU_tzfUwEwZ2SCFiZeKSTzVpZV7F6iTtD9BYk_o2yQNgfnaeiMRWCduNM4cJYVKYi6chHl-29Fwz2hfoGM8l9YME_h7gO_WqPbiSlJhtCyK6WzROGF9SU/s1600/IMG_6437.JPG"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l0_R0xvsQfM_bL_EMg0EU_tzfUwEwZ2SCFiZeKSTzVpZV7F6iTtD9BYk_o2yQNgfnaeiMRWCduNM4cJYVKYi6chHl-29Fwz2hfoGM8l9YME_h7gO_WqPbiSlJhtCyK6WzROGF9SU/s640/IMG_6437.JPG" width="427" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chocolate cupcake with Peanut Butter frosting</span> </div>
Now that you are enticed, here is some interesting cupcake history: <br />
<br />
<strong>*</strong> The first mention of a cupcake dates back to 1796, in a book called "American Cookery." The book, written by Amelia Simms, referred to "a cake to be baked in small cups." <br />
* The first time the actual term "cupcake" was used was by Eliza Leslie. She wrote a book called "Seventy-five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats" in 1828.<br />
*The first cupcakes were baked in individual ramekins or teacups, until the multi-cup pans were invented<br />
* Cupcake liners have more than one use-they are used to make it easy to remove the cupcakes from the pan, but also to erase the need for greasing and flouring the pan. And hey, it makes for easier clean-up!<br />
* Cupcakes may have gotten their name from the earliest recipe, called the <em>1234</em> cakes. This recipe is made up of 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups flour and 4 eggs. Hence, <em>cup</em>cakes.<br />
* Other names for cupcakes: fairy cake, patty cake and quarter cakes<br />
* The record for the most cupcakes eaten in 30 seconds? 29!!<br />
* The World's Smallest Cupcakes measures only 1.5 centimeters high and 3 centimeters wide<br />
* The World's Largest Cupcake, according to Guinness Book of World Records 2012, was made by Georgetown Cupcake and weighed 1,176.6 kg (2,594 lbs). It was 56 inches in diameter and 36 inches tall!<br />
* December 15 is National Cupcake Day (stick around my blog and maybe something special will be offered on that day!)<br />
There are a lot of facts out there, but these were some of the fun ones. <br />
<br />
Now that I have procrastinated enough, I am off to make a S'mores cupcake to add to the list of flavors! Check back to see how they turned out-and as always, there will be free samples :)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*The above info was acquired by using Wikipedia, guinnessworld records.com, and wherefoodcomesfrom.com</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-4317674960442010352012-09-28T22:02:00.000-04:002012-09-28T22:02:13.064-04:00Let's Pretend it is Cinco de MayoI know it is the start of Fall, but a friend from church told me about a local bakery's Margarita cupcakes and asked me if I could bake one as good. I am always up for a challenge. I did some research on different cupcake recipes and found one that made some great tasting cupcakes. I topped it with some Margarita-flavored buttercream and a lime wedge and I think I accomplished my goal of making a great tasting Margarita cupcake!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ny2V7bjhRpsPIKPjtoXExh6Q232Wses7ZLiW5p32rHJBbmZd0d1ZOBsNipzj1Im8hGmYyE7HZu3mMxcd37xTNICVJJD0Ne7qj_-vVCy2KwG09RvLLgm1jI41lCZoVVwa-xXQYpuG/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ny2V7bjhRpsPIKPjtoXExh6Q232Wses7ZLiW5p32rHJBbmZd0d1ZOBsNipzj1Im8hGmYyE7HZu3mMxcd37xTNICVJJD0Ne7qj_-vVCy2KwG09RvLLgm1jI41lCZoVVwa-xXQYpuG/s640/030.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
The majority of the recipes I researched used tequila. I have always heard that when you cook or bake something with alcohol in it, the alcohol will cook or bake out. However, I did some research on the topic and I found that it's not necessarily true that the alcohol will bake out. I decided to try an alcohol-free cupcake, especially since many of my friends and family don't like the taste of tequila. I bought a margarita mix and just replaced the tequila. I did the same for the buttercream frosting and then topped it with a fresh lime slice. Yum...and I think if you are a margarita drinker, you will love these and not even miss the tequila!
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, even though the weather is getting chillier and I saw Christmas decorations already displayed at Target the other day (no joke, it was behind the Halloween stuff!), you can still enjoy a taste of the warm weather!</div>
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP9gletKpQIISExrNIQG70DLustpid1btn2-IPN7-Fx-yZeoHuVZjitHrdVnuylL1uqKlLHo5DyVxHyKr83Ic4OwfS6LVZHC4Qf8uooIR_w9ExMDS86i_Kvlyn8FQjwQFLpVahVjr/s400/029.JPG" width="400" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My favorite frosting is buttercream. I enjoy the Italian Meringue and the whipped cream, but I would pick buttercream over any other frosting any day of the week. However, I am not a fan heavy of buttercream frostings. I found a little trick to make buttercream a little fluffier and a little lighter, while keeping the sweetness. Instead of adding milk to the frosting, add some heavy whipping cream and whip the butter and powdered sugar and any other ingredients with the cream until it starts to form soft peaks. Then, you will have a lighter, but still delicious buttercream frosting to complement your cupcake!<br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc6JmFJAZrd0KUWliODw9EUZnyuHqlJXtHOU77Z9YDBBxt77UZYkJ6zTlIb916iZEERmOGlJAy8DfE_lbZIenp9hmUseGvwtm-VUWRZAwLZamUTBsT2xy7ATzwGfmTkol5Fw81XrO/s320/027.JPG" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>We are getting closer to opening a cupcakery! Unfortunately, all the paperwork and waiting for a health license</em> <em>takes time, but soon I will be able to offer all the decadent treats I have been blogging about (and many more) at my Internet Cupcakery!! </em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-56247862091733883842012-09-15T21:04:00.001-04:002012-09-15T21:04:47.904-04:00Fall is coming!The Women's Committee at my church holds an annual sign-up for all the ministries the church offers. We usually have a breakfast, so the ladies can enjoy some good food while learning about the opportunities that are available. This year, however, we decided to have a dessert night instead. I signed up to make cupcakes (I love a chance to make new cupcakes and to share them!). Since I am usually ready for Fall to start by the beginning of September, I thought what better cupcake flavor to make than pumpkin? And because I am always wanting to expand my decorating skills, I made fondant Fall leaves as a topper.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKEccLxyuAYsjLsoHqN3Xf3Ws9-rvaguRvzbQ2RldUXHQfCzIMfWtO6_hiOaA9MFQHBNKZVvAbZrhmHd7Y2xTi6xuebAg7qeAtl6M78sBFsxwnGgNkTqwDca5iwJ32K41aCiXNDbh/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKEccLxyuAYsjLsoHqN3Xf3Ws9-rvaguRvzbQ2RldUXHQfCzIMfWtO6_hiOaA9MFQHBNKZVvAbZrhmHd7Y2xTi6xuebAg7qeAtl6M78sBFsxwnGgNkTqwDca5iwJ32K41aCiXNDbh/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How yummy do these look?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cupcakes were pumpkin with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting-sometimes it is nice to stick with a traditional favorite. These cupcakes were particularly moist and light because sour cream was added, and who doesn't like pumpkin? Cream cheese is a natural complement to the pumpkin, and now you have a Fall-inspired cupcake. I could have left them undecorated and they would have still tasted great, but I have really been wanting to work with fondant and making leaves made perfect toppers for these little treats.<br />
<br />
Fondant is edible, but I don't really like the taste. But it is a great medium for making decorations, it is pliable, holds its shape well and versatile. I have only worked with fondant once before, to make a stem for a flower cake I made for my daughter's 1st birthday party. This time, I wanted to use a fondant cutter or mold to make the leaves. I found this nifty little contraption at the store and thought I would give it a try...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQI6ZlaDpeydXwJ6NA1g3WSPSorj9fuFf-yzjKER-wcFQmEYHTgKdg3i3Z-Ti_-e95z2L9xvWk6R8__SBJRiXwSFLqYUsYPdJ6rLkolWaWOi68yyzCUWWMh3nMXNrqGgyd81civph1/s400/001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fondant rolled out and marked for putting in the press.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPe-69soHXCF27_f5jF-p9wozXo5D9TG7HhrKlRKq6ctMnzpMBwQJtD9a9SrifEwxm22z5CxrHxqPxiFGzHoCEb3xflsGn7OJsQpCstw6nznkmPbQ_c_sN_jwrnIoJGoe6WSS-QFy/s320/004.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After removing the excess fondant, you are left with three little leaves, ready to be painted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
While I was at the store, I found this cool stuff called Color Dust. It is an edible dust that you can use to paint your fondant or gum paste decorations. I had a great time making all the leaves, and then painting them. </div>
<br />
Here they are before they are painted...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx36pQHMpJlOj6WtRadmb4xsHbXucE_NN22EajGF6lvEe2qiEHE_A7SPJ878JCGd9Wl7YeKVLt4TMZJm4vZwFy0FNheOnymObEx9DHKpQwfUS1X-u_y_npuWPl0AuzcLO2xOMjjYDW/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx36pQHMpJlOj6WtRadmb4xsHbXucE_NN22EajGF6lvEe2qiEHE_A7SPJ878JCGd9Wl7YeKVLt4TMZJm4vZwFy0FNheOnymObEx9DHKpQwfUS1X-u_y_npuWPl0AuzcLO2xOMjjYDW/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and after...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTwZpv6bHpQgWNggEM3U53P1s0lb4I-xoj_0H2Cxu6HDlMUyux1pJ2QYws-pzyY-arWty5YdbNOTqJHEKXdwnop6ylY-cI3-6iNPzdDPAySWndLJj4UKn1xPDQq-fuOH0SNu3WSBh/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
and the final product again...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFXw-gCGNrOgdOz0dQLUn5p7udW8tsEWsP_g-ASFCVpBNdKzW_Pbpz0EovNQtULfNa5rdAxYHJgqWUHeBslXOFMiZfhi02eGlM45H-M1aE_Ei_iOahettFjF73vIFnaiVpmTEJVeV/s640/008.JPG" width="480" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My friend, Lisa, took a picture for me of the cupcakes on the cupcake stand at the dessert party.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kCJ8IQxhGYdq6b2wcovV9bL-8fvxxqgYniRMCDZMSqJ4XB3gXAJSSxTmCWWpmxD_OrWl8ATBs7QHnX1VqY-XZ0FdWZJMj1dy4x45d9h4_Era0MWfjGso_9r6W9flB25z09SOkzn5/s640/pumpkin+cupcake.jpg" width="478" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong><br />
When you roll out fondant, powder your work surface with powdered sugar and occasionally pick the fondant up to make sure it is not sticking to your work surface. Also, just like when rolling out dough for bread, make sure to powder your rolling pin (with powdered sugar).<br />
<br />
I was given the challenge of making a Margarita Lime cupcake that would taste as good or better than a local bakery's version. I am up for the challenge and will let you know what happens!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-41750085486216410822012-09-12T12:39:00.001-04:002012-10-28T07:37:31.980-04:00Tackling the Red Velvet CupcakeI am a huge fan of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network, and I always notice that when a contestant makes a red velvet cupcake, it is almost always a failure. The judges are very particular about how red velvet should taste, and it seems very few bakers meet their standards. I have had red velvet maybe three times in my life, and I can say I have never been left with a great impression. The cake is usually dry or extremely dense. I recently became obsessed with the idea of baking a dye-free red velvet cupcake. I have some friends who can't give their kids red dye because it is known to cause hyperactivity, and others I know are actually allergic to the stuff! So, I set out on a moist-but-not-dense-no-red-dye-red-velvet-cupcake mission, and what a mission it was! I think I tried about 6 different recipes and drove my poor husband up a wall making him taste the finished products (some of which were not good AT ALL!). I gave up on the idea of having a bright red cake without using red dye, because it really isn't possible. I instead settled for a more natural-looking reddish-brown cake, using...beet juice. Take a look at what I came up with and then I will explain how it all came together.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoHjaBfPf7zssFHZauvMv5IyfB_707oyFrvVuvop7_wWFudOdI8uzTc7rx04e_hrEhPSdYPHYD3rQSwEo2m_gZ_nk3vh73bBGAExE7-mbDurIHRzy-w-5A_K2ROpgPiCmc5Zl-Yat/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoHjaBfPf7zssFHZauvMv5IyfB_707oyFrvVuvop7_wWFudOdI8uzTc7rx04e_hrEhPSdYPHYD3rQSwEo2m_gZ_nk3vh73bBGAExE7-mbDurIHRzy-w-5A_K2ROpgPiCmc5Zl-Yat/s640/029.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't the little hearts cute? I will get to those in a minute, but let 's start with the cake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The reason I wanted to make a red velvet cupcake that had no red dye in it is because I have friends and family who can't use red dye, either for themselves or for their kids. But everyone should be entitled to this yummy, decadent dessert. The original recipe (after some research, although even this seems unclear) is from a recipe at the Waldorf-Astoria, and it used red food coloring. However, some of the stories I read claim that the original red velvet cake was made before that and used natural food colorings, such as beetroot. I decided to try some different recipes and substitute either beet juice or beet puree for the food coloring to see what would happen.</div>
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UVOwFLv7ZKdcoml3A-3Ou5hg2RM90ooe4H7OLV8VKRAff5u4c6CcHvkNI1FwjT4_v6owQcsgVHtOlFWRxYU2922oIont5U4vpsQCcGmLyFptSYYkHOFYhgv09wuqg00KLzY90tlK/s640/009.JPG" width="640" />Let me start by saying if you are going to use a puree, use only a small amount as the puree will make your cupcake almost gelatin-like. I tried several recipes which called for puree, and they all came out mushy (it really isn't appetizing). So, I decided to stick with beet juice. Again, after some experimenting and deciding that I was never going to get that "fake" red color from beet juice, I found a recipe that came out moist, light and not greasy. The cake does have a reddish-brown hue, and you CAN NOT taste the beets. This is very important because I dislike beets a great deal (as does my hubby), and I didn't want a beet cupcake. These cupcakes have a subtle chocolate taste which works really well with the white chocolate cream cheese frosting. I used beet juice from canned beets, but another method is to boil fresh beets and use the juice from that. From my research, the outcome is the same, as far as color. If you were to use a beet puree, fresh beets would probably give a more vibrant color.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynEN-i7mL63xUDyQrheT_h8EzRFLeYJbn6fp29Hf0jDN5yP6WHD5c_Sbn_I2OFH30SIkq70zj65WP_wHXIjTj8GlrBihGrUCSCHbUVa4hSLpuNZwD9YmVfbFVfWfMr68wABY-DM4e/s640/035.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lighting in this picture isn't the greatest, but these do have a slightly red tint. But isn't it the taste that matters more than an unnatural red color?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After finally deciding on a cupcake recipe, I decided to increase the decadence in this cupcake by making the white chocolate cream cheese frosting. It is so smooth and works perfectly with the chocolate hint in the cake. Then, because I wanted to try a new decorating technique, I free-handed some pink chocolate hearts (for my friends who had the dark chocolate hearts, I ran out of dark chocolate, so pink it is!). And yes, there is some red dye in the candy, but you can always take those off. I plan to experiment with beet powder in the future to color my white chocolate, I just didn't have any on hand.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRMejoabA3KmfCZUnGIUMMmbv4AMyr4Oxn-CbiiaI7aeBdGWzNFvW2GNhyphenhyphenKoGoe41e2sUuR_Nrhj52OMYSMPpw9hHvl4fWJhpZeRUbRGaQfCFaeuUqR-Z5C676XbQ2_w-Y-oiXw9S/s640/031.JPG" width="640" /></div>
These little hearts were fun to make, I simply melted some colored chocolate, let it cool slightly and then filled a piping bag. I have a couple of cutting boards that are a flexible, light plastic and I used those as my "drawing" surface. Then, I let them set in the freezer and then very carefully removed them with a spatula. I like the free-form look of them, and it is a skill I can continue to improve.<br />
<br />
I hope these look appetizing enough that you won't even miss the bright red cake part! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Qu5jPQkASqpvsFG8HlNfoB00m7L8gu2BnYm74w-7zDywbq_CXpSoiXp1RWTK4YwfLnTqRmaIOW2Nwd-T9tMk3sui9Rkam4PlzMOEtqFkjfYi-VEmErKbr7d-S9_NWog1CArNwyGh/s640/027.JPG" width="480" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX76VoIQMklsgg8EoAQWAW4OsiJR0lP8fANqW4zLRz4ukljSH34WmBF4yzkpsmRYl1o2QVPBaX07sCkrXohHkhxQJ4584nXC7NtLCg8l4YAml882eZxC7LqYPPdJSmWIkBERiyYhe/s640/028.JPG" width="480" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<strong><em>Tip of the Blog:</em></strong><br />
If you make a cream cheese frosting, you might have better results piping it onto your cupcakes if you stick the frosting in the fridge for a little while to set. Then it will be a little stiffer to pipe nicely on your cupcakes!<br />
<br />
As I mentioned on my last post, I am in the process of starting my own cupcakery, appropriately named YellowRoses Cupcakes. It will be an online cupcakery, and I will be happy to deliver cupcakes to you for any occasion, or I can host a baking party or cupcake decorating party. I will keep you informed of how the set-up is going. And once I am officially open for business, I would love to share my cupcake creations with you and your friends!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-85355415960379247002012-09-03T09:03:00.001-04:002012-09-03T09:03:07.502-04:00Back to School with some PB & JMy son, Ethan, started Kindergarten this past week. It is sad that my little boy is old enough to start elementary school! To get in the school mood, a couple of weeks ago I decided to make a Peanut Butter and Jelly cupcake, what's more back-to-school than that?! Take a look at my yellow cupcake with strawberry center and peanut butter frosting creation (complete with strawberry syrup drizzle!)...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf83smFOiPZccF-AC2Qa9JoR3FoF644yCHIfrFOljTclRT1cMyM6W6PcWhpcWXWo3OPFvpixdMdlIq8JpIx7zJ6OkS1X1H58ZqOB7ln18zCZMiZ2je9MBI3sDx4m0NzCqdvkn5tgW1/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf83smFOiPZccF-AC2Qa9JoR3FoF644yCHIfrFOljTclRT1cMyM6W6PcWhpcWXWo3OPFvpixdMdlIq8JpIx7zJ6OkS1X1H58ZqOB7ln18zCZMiZ2je9MBI3sDx4m0NzCqdvkn5tgW1/s400/027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Part of the reason I made these particular cupcakes is I have been trying all different vanilla cupcake recipes to find the most moist and delicious, and I think the recipe I used here is my winner. To complete the cupcake, I made a strawberry jam (because nothing is store-bought if I can help it) center with cream cheese peanut butter frosting and, as I said before, a strawberry syrup drizzle (again, homemade). The first bite into these cupcakes was like taking a bite of a gourmet PB & J sandwich! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWlpn_S4tfzXIbpUaVBFch2tQY15psvIou3xmStNSplCGCXpw5YSwtnglJd6s8ErzeooISV888RyqF5-k0pLy0m1qHsRLCOLny2CBrJTLAj6nghRXq7l_uCcWMPFdyfPdGWHwZ_bc/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWlpn_S4tfzXIbpUaVBFch2tQY15psvIou3xmStNSplCGCXpw5YSwtnglJd6s8ErzeooISV888RyqF5-k0pLy0m1qHsRLCOLny2CBrJTLAj6nghRXq7l_uCcWMPFdyfPdGWHwZ_bc/s400/021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The strawberry jam center is sweet and works perfectly with the vanilla cupcake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZGdIi1Ooz89mV3kNOiEFb39eNF2oLcUM600Mw1uNZSvrRxbzV0Zmka9UkiVO1asT25EkNuWbJmIpDo-uTkAxUn5r3MP9puOKMdaHSRyWY8VF3FB0apIW_LtuG1siERwZxF_VRIcu/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZGdIi1Ooz89mV3kNOiEFb39eNF2oLcUM600Mw1uNZSvrRxbzV0Zmka9UkiVO1asT25EkNuWbJmIpDo-uTkAxUn5r3MP9puOKMdaHSRyWY8VF3FB0apIW_LtuG1siERwZxF_VRIcu/s400/034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made the frosting with cream cheese to cut down on the sweetness, but it was still a very indulgent topping to this cupcake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think these cupcakes would be great for a kid's birthday party, or a end of the summer picnic!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Tip of the Blog:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When using a filling for a cupcake, make sure both the cupcakes <strong>and </strong>the filling are cooled completely before filling the cupcakes. Otherwise, you might end up with a soggy mess!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">I have some exciting news-I am in the planning phase of starting my very own cupcake business! It will be an Internet-based business for the time being, with the goal to expand to farmers' markets and a store-front as the demand grows. I would love to share my cupcake creations with you and your friends, so I will let you know when my business officially opens!!</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-7942601869022610042012-08-29T20:46:00.015-04:002012-08-29T22:01:30.617-04:00Branching Out<p align="center">My friend, Jan, asked me to make some cupcakes for a baby shower she was throwing for a friend. Her friend really likes frogs and the party was girl-themed, so Jan asked me to make vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with pink and green frosting. I asked if I could expand my decorating horizons and try making some chocolate candy for the cupcakes. Luckily, Jan has faith in my abilities and said yes, so I made green frogs and pink baby feet from molded chocolate candy. Now, I know there are people who have a great deal more talent than I do with this technique, but it has been fun to learn and I think the end result was really cute and great-tasting. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYbfaPRUfWdOhuOIhJgTGekdmOaMH_XZ5R4e1P7gukQjJQHhKUgO1XtoiE7sRGVk_SOVYBBpiKMX9ZJGiTLNf0kmdIGHQNboWeUZWITbYtFWLY2T4DdgXXqhLOYWLRkpNvly_Dbah/s1600/2012-08-18+07.36.03.jpg"><img style="width: 550px; height: 363px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782263591786972770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYbfaPRUfWdOhuOIhJgTGekdmOaMH_XZ5R4e1P7gukQjJQHhKUgO1XtoiE7sRGVk_SOVYBBpiKMX9ZJGiTLNf0kmdIGHQNboWeUZWITbYtFWLY2T4DdgXXqhLOYWLRkpNvly_Dbah/s400/2012-08-18+07.36.03.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">Because I was making these cupcakes for a party and I didn't want to mess up the final product, I decided to go with an easier method of making the molded candies. I used Wilton's Candy Melts, which come in a variety of colors. Since they sell both pink and green candy melts, I was able to use those to make the candies. This time, I focused on getting the candies molded well and making sure there were no air bubbles. Next time, I want to use white chocolate or almond bark and dye it successfully (small steps!).</p><p align="center">Here are the simple steps to making your own molded candies:</p><p align="left">1. First, make sure your molds are free of any water. Water and chocolate (or candy melts) don't mix well, it can cause discoloration or streaking.</p><p align="left">2. Next, pour the amount of chocolate into a microwave-safe container. You can also melt the chocolate over a double boiler. If you are using the microwave method as I did, start by microwaving for about a minute, then mix with a spoon. If more time is needed to melt it, use 30 second intervals to ensure the chocolate doesn't melt. Once the chocolate becomes a smooth consistency, it is ready to put into the mold. (If you are using the double-boiler method, use a small amount of water, put the top bowl with the chocolate in it on and heat over medium-low heat until the chocolate is smooth, mixing constantly.)</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirIxzKtBw8ESNsL7I9GIaBetuo6D9tw6wGHDYNBf9092yDxdwHZdqptjKrRvvq7FK3ekip9A6jIWOyfM1pDhO4NftZweV-5a8tnTJdl8c3qhqF2BIw1a77gVgKWvHHsebsC0Uvekt/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="width: 538px; height: 425px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782267499625810914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirIxzKtBw8ESNsL7I9GIaBetuo6D9tw6wGHDYNBf9092yDxdwHZdqptjKrRvvq7FK3ekip9A6jIWOyfM1pDhO4NftZweV-5a8tnTJdl8c3qhqF2BIw1a77gVgKWvHHsebsC0Uvekt/s400/002.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">3. I found that piping the chocolate into the mold was easiest and less messy. Fill in the molds and then gently tap the mold to remove the air bubbles. Check the bottom of the molds to make sure all the bubbles were gone.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MB5w4rx9YHF_zcyeAZLtgqsqzWY-8Sswr-oHAAg9ts1jrOG4Jb5ZoB8TMgw_gTIQSURI4yiKFx4cPBZEFJHUbm2qYN9mXrj_v5pn_CVsx3gFsjnHLe00LaUldEkXyMvWL0E-A-kj/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="width: 542px; height: 405px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782269131917368450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MB5w4rx9YHF_zcyeAZLtgqsqzWY-8Sswr-oHAAg9ts1jrOG4Jb5ZoB8TMgw_gTIQSURI4yiKFx4cPBZEFJHUbm2qYN9mXrj_v5pn_CVsx3gFsjnHLe00LaUldEkXyMvWL0E-A-kj/s400/003.JPG" /></a></p><p align="left">4. Now, place the mold on a flat surface in the freezer for at a minimum of 10 minutes. They will harden and you will be able to pop them out easily. Once you remove them from the mold, trim the excess chocolate. </p><p align="left">And here is what you get when they are done:</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESpWnsM3JwhNVfTiWS4s2yjelNgfE3ZvoKAjqgNc92HuM8N8mn50p-M-Ch9D80mAb7nt3LbIvJ7KonqrxfScOsc4nldkpgb5q1tiUplxZUP5Rm0M-hPi_awL5cBqIwK4fuE7ETueR/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="width: 452px; height: 310px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782270340468709538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESpWnsM3JwhNVfTiWS4s2yjelNgfE3ZvoKAjqgNc92HuM8N8mn50p-M-Ch9D80mAb7nt3LbIvJ7KonqrxfScOsc4nldkpgb5q1tiUplxZUP5Rm0M-hPi_awL5cBqIwK4fuE7ETueR/s400/008.JPG" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESpWnsM3JwhNVfTiWS4s2yjelNgfE3ZvoKAjqgNc92HuM8N8mn50p-M-Ch9D80mAb7nt3LbIvJ7KonqrxfScOsc4nldkpgb5q1tiUplxZUP5Rm0M-hPi_awL5cBqIwK4fuE7ETueR/s1600/008.JPG"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFsZnLeHQktD0rOCHhIthGqZ1lTIQllnC5fKijqUox5dYEpNQRKbpJ09pQ6YBz2juxfkw8mricRcSkj0IEoiIVzNL3y8uwi1KWOUyMCue7Uhh21PZ43YkYxVaxHw28L1-F-wM72jp/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="width: 418px; height: 319px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782270791852381458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFsZnLeHQktD0rOCHhIthGqZ1lTIQllnC5fKijqUox5dYEpNQRKbpJ09pQ6YBz2juxfkw8mricRcSkj0IEoiIVzNL3y8uwi1KWOUyMCue7Uhh21PZ43YkYxVaxHw28L1-F-wM72jp/s400/009.JPG" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFsZnLeHQktD0rOCHhIthGqZ1lTIQllnC5fKijqUox5dYEpNQRKbpJ09pQ6YBz2juxfkw8mricRcSkj0IEoiIVzNL3y8uwi1KWOUyMCue7Uhh21PZ43YkYxVaxHw28L1-F-wM72jp/s1600/009.JPG"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p><p align="left">And once these cute little candies are done, you can place them on top of your frosted cupcakes and make a truly special treat for a party!</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJhanL8q8fQKl6K7gtgwox9dpXOujPxFxg9mKm2IKWZJ0VeHhjs2A4t77YEEFFMjpgP07ydY6WwOMSZB3W76jrfZD91RkqUAVJzw80bzfwtmQQ9eP-JN_diBHqe5dG3pe21gzLm5I/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="width: 558px; height: 392px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782271670407573298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJhanL8q8fQKl6K7gtgwox9dpXOujPxFxg9mKm2IKWZJ0VeHhjs2A4t77YEEFFMjpgP07ydY6WwOMSZB3W76jrfZD91RkqUAVJzw80bzfwtmQQ9eP-JN_diBHqe5dG3pe21gzLm5I/s400/015.JPG" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJhanL8q8fQKl6K7gtgwox9dpXOujPxFxg9mKm2IKWZJ0VeHhjs2A4t77YEEFFMjpgP07ydY6WwOMSZB3W76jrfZD91RkqUAVJzw80bzfwtmQQ9eP-JN_diBHqe5dG3pe21gzLm5I/s1600/015.JPG"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p><p align="center">I hope you enjoyed experimenting with me! I hope to keep molding candy and developing my technique. I look forward to learning other decorating techniques to make my cupcakes unique and fun.</p><p align="left"><strong>Tip of the Blog:</strong></p><p align="left">You can cool your chocolate candies in the fridge instead of the freezer, however, it will take longer. Also, setting your candy in the freezer helps to remove the chocolate easily from the mold and also helps to give the chocolate a shiny finish, which really makes your candy look great!</p><p align="left">Next: PB & J cupcakes...a great way to celebrate back to school :) </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uX-z8hl2soiAptAvXGkSDiaIfuIGSH0tJ4ttKfdGWqVfxfjaUorE9NSUxzu35plBd0OGGip-a8EmxTYA-3y0-8HOOgCnqrkiayM4CYyW1unXylB3VtHuojrM7R3jUC4i9hzvAV2D/s1600/2012-08-18+07.36.03.jpg"></a><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-2833499979745387382012-08-23T21:41:00.013-04:002012-08-24T08:55:05.289-04:00Miniature Creations<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUlQPCyrJkMbRH1QJrzygkqbowc5ad2LvbhNxSMUgJy_0EXKWunG0A-VPeXvsCLRZtMV2jDONZRWWEkviv8c2FrqvGPdt7JItcB75E7G6c83tHV4XM4gj4tZWd47lA4kgOx-U7miL/s1600/003.JPG"></a><div>My son, Ethan, is starting kindergarten on Monday. Last night, we had a back to school (or, in our case, a welcome to school) picnic. The families were asked to bring a dessert. So, what do you think I made? That's right-brownies...no wait, that's not right! Yes, I made cupcakes. But as I thought about what flavor to make, it dawned on me that I could take this opportunity to try a different aspect of cupcake-making. Since I wanted to share my dessert with as many people as possible, I decided to make mini-cupcakes. And I picked one of my favorite flavors-my snickerdoodle cucpakes. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySCILixzYHtCLFgATMTwkoO2-_JVC1atepnuRrxrmNZlGu8LXH87AQm2FG3PLMUzCPVWn7HaVtOsK3ylyZB_bkApo7PPTN_aUpVi7iA5snLs9Y8hlflxiBBdPXvdhHk4IadAKmUln/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="width: 542px; height: 388px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780053254012198498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySCILixzYHtCLFgATMTwkoO2-_JVC1atepnuRrxrmNZlGu8LXH87AQm2FG3PLMUzCPVWn7HaVtOsK3ylyZB_bkApo7PPTN_aUpVi7iA5snLs9Y8hlflxiBBdPXvdhHk4IadAKmUln/s400/003.JPG" /><div align="left"> </div></a></div><div> These were so cute and they were so much fun to make. I actually only have one mini-muffin pan, so it was kinda taking me forever to bake these. I ended up doing two batches of mini-cupcakes, then making regular sized cupcakes with the remaining batter. Here are the "mommy and baby" cupcakes...</div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUm7UnaOF17rzaqGBcfWR0pD3JiDjhuTZUbpnFetANJf1_LubD0PpfuQ5CQSiZYIx-s_uhu43vf5WanuqkOHDwFVkZDr64z7XTkhplvp2VA51Oi7G-FoxNQ52AFr5dzEtv-8uzoPS/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="width: 562px; height: 412px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5780055349818707618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUm7UnaOF17rzaqGBcfWR0pD3JiDjhuTZUbpnFetANJf1_LubD0PpfuQ5CQSiZYIx-s_uhu43vf5WanuqkOHDwFVkZDr64z7XTkhplvp2VA51Oi7G-FoxNQ52AFr5dzEtv-8uzoPS/s400/009.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><div align="left">Anyway, I just wanted to share a fun variation of the traditional cupcake. It really doesn't matter the size, these were delicious and fun to share. If you want to make these yourself, just use my Snickerdoodle cupcake recipe (<a href="http://yellowrosescupcakes.blogspot.com/2012/06/as-mother-of-three-wonderful-kids-we.html">http://yellowrosescupcakes.blogspot.com/2012/06/as-mother-of-three-wonderful-kids-we.html</a>). However, when baking them, only bake for 13 minutes and you will have a yummy mini-treat! </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><strong>Tip of the Blog:</strong></div><div align="left">Once your cupcakes are done baking, take them out and let them cool for no more than a couple of minutes, then remove them to finish cooling on a cooling rack. If you keep them in the baking pans too long, they will continue to bake and could dry out. If you need to cool them fast, stick them in the fridge or freezer and they will be ready sooner.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Next post: how to mold chocolate to decorate your cupcakes!</div><div align="left"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636261789085530112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-91252479130515695102012-08-18T19:33:00.000-04:002012-08-18T19:33:23.728-04:00My Oreo Cupcake Creation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think Oreos are by far one of the best cookies out there. Chocolate cookie and sweet cream filling-what could be better? How about an Oreo cupcake? And not just any Oreo cupcake-an Oreo cupcake made from scratch with a Double Stuf Oreo! I know, it sounds ridiculously indulgent, and it is :) </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlfDEZRDryZW-GieL_xroRKgGgoNoInnqTkMiIw4SziOnBKtI0himdAMq9PAKJ9LKV-AIVGp4FXsFgaWqHiDxDLM8zTCN48DFe5nWiKwUpmoLvbUZTyzpZL7s4KQjb3VIu8kER6yXlcgp/s1600/102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlfDEZRDryZW-GieL_xroRKgGgoNoInnqTkMiIw4SziOnBKtI0himdAMq9PAKJ9LKV-AIVGp4FXsFgaWqHiDxDLM8zTCN48DFe5nWiKwUpmoLvbUZTyzpZL7s4KQjb3VIu8kER6yXlcgp/s400/102.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since I like to start the post with a pic of the final product, here it is. What do you think of the zebra liners?! <br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the chocolate cupcake part, I used my basic chocolate cupcake recipe. To make these Oreo cupcakes, I added A LOT of Oreos. For this recipe, you will need two packages of Double Stuf Oreos (you could always buy the regular Oreos, but the Double Stuf are so much better!). <br />
<br />Here is how to make these sweet treats:<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line muffin pans with liners as usual, but in each cup place a whole Oreo cookie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxV2gryIC9BVE2LP9I6FZEYTehgqY5BAKGK7Gzk3J1x-gd7T3I08ZH7ceL9FWfG3QymheKXJW3XAKtUMqMghNxTk5JPqXyeTckk-mvnmi4cZYMbm24aMcdmlwZ-hdWwm2jtZiWbS3sEx-r/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxV2gryIC9BVE2LP9I6FZEYTehgqY5BAKGK7Gzk3J1x-gd7T3I08ZH7ceL9FWfG3QymheKXJW3XAKtUMqMghNxTk5JPqXyeTckk-mvnmi4cZYMbm24aMcdmlwZ-hdWwm2jtZiWbS3sEx-r/s400/082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
2. Next, chop up about 8 cookies, coarsely.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_xqk-1kldMlsPnBpDsW9MRmEgJcol78sFmLREKbYdZQt9hF8A7QU2pdIeuI42mncsUUbBQZJE14YAJ19OHowHjr2ZUnIehyphenhyphene-hVTi5nnDWBruinVAEDQKyZ4ruInV01BWHlazRtK5QxA/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_xqk-1kldMlsPnBpDsW9MRmEgJcol78sFmLREKbYdZQt9hF8A7QU2pdIeuI42mncsUUbBQZJE14YAJ19OHowHjr2ZUnIehyphenhyphene-hVTi5nnDWBruinVAEDQKyZ4ruInV01BWHlazRtK5QxA/s400/074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a helper to cut up the cookies for me-my husband, Jason! Isn't he doing a great job?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. Make the <a href="http://yellowrosescupcakes.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-perfect-chocolate-cupcake.html">chocolate cupcake batter</a>. Add the cut up cookies to the batter at the end and gently mix in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcwxSscRLlI8GWEAeLPOsb-PS-SqND9FFtNew-mul4w2OOZCccFQT9qp-aPkyicdK7qcdyQ1h2B22zDT6V3Hb0Se2mCH_ev5bWTGki1ImQgbN9WWcF7gq_3dy8RF8VIq4a8NPiheika4o/s320/078.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Fill the liners about 2/3 full. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool briefly in muffin pans, then remove cupcakes to cool completely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting</strong></div>
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature<br /> 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature<br /> 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar<br /> 1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
<br />
1. Cream together butter and cream cheese. <br />
2. Add vanilla, then add powdered sugar slowly until blended well. <br />
3. Put about 10 cookies in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add to frosting. <br />
4. Pipe onto cupcakes. Garnish each cupcake with a whole Oreo.<br />
<br />
These are truly a treat for anyone who loves Oreos. Take a look at how yummy they look inside...<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6ILJ0zHTZe3OPSiPSWegU-ZDPw4yJvgZ68tAZ31e8Y7LfAuJfFL0BmFKy-ap6YMu1qYC0RYjUMky2WVNSDF6ld8GER1T8QcOaXg9MQb8riMKXjnxrlIOBaSw0IfSxGu6JM9ou8HLMmHp/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6ILJ0zHTZe3OPSiPSWegU-ZDPw4yJvgZ68tAZ31e8Y7LfAuJfFL0BmFKy-ap6YMu1qYC0RYjUMky2WVNSDF6ld8GER1T8QcOaXg9MQb8riMKXjnxrlIOBaSw0IfSxGu6JM9ou8HLMmHp/s320/109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and some more pictures of the final product, because they just look so good...</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJ4aQ8VYqwxmDOVv-NXWUN1jiq23RiShjSh0gmHVlPanNgzARGUBU5P8GZfyVkGQhgf5_7IAxAwE60vNRJVM17HxSlwqAptsrepzguxt-hfrSTfdw-dpD7S8eAcITyT6SEmKY9CxmjAcG/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJ4aQ8VYqwxmDOVv-NXWUN1jiq23RiShjSh0gmHVlPanNgzARGUBU5P8GZfyVkGQhgf5_7IAxAwE60vNRJVM17HxSlwqAptsrepzguxt-hfrSTfdw-dpD7S8eAcITyT6SEmKY9CxmjAcG/s320/103.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPg3lfLf2tVB5sC2rFqj9y2YHoWlat68oeqxSB9IEVQFTURYDIG1-7HSbqJeKi9GKxl1qaSTDRVSbtzBV53WGKatrOf4NQEwCQDC07r0zm7m-rr4h4rZO8RI7uTInm7VQwjlNkMtTa8TcK/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPg3lfLf2tVB5sC2rFqj9y2YHoWlat68oeqxSB9IEVQFTURYDIG1-7HSbqJeKi9GKxl1qaSTDRVSbtzBV53WGKatrOf4NQEwCQDC07r0zm7m-rr4h4rZO8RI7uTInm7VQwjlNkMtTa8TcK/s320/099.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt6hFUtZKS8ZhDiBBMyqxftvGeqz3F7bIJHsCH_lEhRWgH98BSV9yrwAKfi5p4QE4wMQazEoaxg6lkuj8nR4fE9o3mGgAbKwLDKaFzjV5EA6zOE5lBmIqF_YjlFffTWm0Lh76SJd3wQf8/s1600/089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt6hFUtZKS8ZhDiBBMyqxftvGeqz3F7bIJHsCH_lEhRWgH98BSV9yrwAKfi5p4QE4wMQazEoaxg6lkuj8nR4fE9o3mGgAbKwLDKaFzjV5EA6zOE5lBmIqF_YjlFffTWm0Lh76SJd3wQf8/s320/089.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<strong>Tip of the Blog:</strong><br />
When making the cupcake batter, over mixing is a no-no. It will make the cupcakes heavy and dense, instead of light and airy. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. I used to over mix my batters because I wanted to make sure everything was well incorporated, but I have learned my lesson. Instead, make sure your ingredients are brought to room temperature (unless the directions say otherwise) to help blend them faster and you will avoid the need to over mix. <br />
<br />
After making these cupcakes, I got inspired to try making cupcakes using the Golden Oreos, check back to see how those turned out! Also, I was recently asked to make cupcakes for a baby shower, I will post some pictures soon to show you what I came up with.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-59871459622892909842012-08-11T16:40:00.004-04:002012-08-11T16:40:55.666-04:00The Perfect Chocolate CupcakeSorry for taking so long to get a new post up, my family and I were on vacation at the beach and just got back last night. We went to Wildwood for a fun week of playing the ocean, here is picture of my happy family:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRZtPZMP-bBXX1_jL6Xb_yfwOzTeFfjz4DKZ2yji9W6PERpPFQl0hXC-QLzp-VC6FLzTZbQ4A9PBg9jXdMHkKs55wrQFg25eVU7Bso0_MnPGM2ONkEYPQSlppkp6EsZ1WeuAcKfIM0dCu/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRZtPZMP-bBXX1_jL6Xb_yfwOzTeFfjz4DKZ2yji9W6PERpPFQl0hXC-QLzp-VC6FLzTZbQ4A9PBg9jXdMHkKs55wrQFg25eVU7Bso0_MnPGM2ONkEYPQSlppkp6EsZ1WeuAcKfIM0dCu/s400/034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But back to the cupcakes, my husband is my sounding board for figuring out what new cupcake flavor to try. He helps me to come up with new flavors, and lately, he has been asking me to make him an all chocolate cupcake. His request: a chocolate cupcake with a chocolate mousse filling topped with chocolate buttercream frosting. I know, it sounds decadent and possibly borders on chocolate overload, but I gave it a go. Here is a "taste" of the finished product...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7Xd2rP8eq2ffznsJ8LT6ZOM-2l3_r5PjGDCMWlr6E0-Mdp9up4jn3mo69bgX62XbEvbTboFy4Qj6puL7bbxm5652mvYyztOb3RsLUCWeXSigw0TKTtRX1-86ldjfMVdmL-kKyQvSpf7L/s400/076.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br />There isn't a new recipe here, I have made all of the components of this cupcake in other cupcakes. All I did was add them together, and the result was an explosion of chocolate love. For those that want to know what goes into these, read on (if you don't really care because you know I will make them for you and save you the trouble, just scroll down to look at the pictures!)<br />
<br />
<strong>Chocolate Decadence Cupcakes</strong><br />
<strong>Cupcakes:</strong><br />
- 2 c all purpose flour<br />
- 1 c unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Wilbur's dutch
cocoa-for those local folks who want to use something truly decadent!)<br />
- 2 c
sugar<br />
- 1 tsp baking soda<br />
- 1 tsp baking powder<br />
- 1/2 tsp salt<br />
- 1
pkg sugar free chocolate pudding mix (1.4 oz)<br />
- 2 eggs<br />
- 2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
- 1 c sour cream<br />
- 1 c
coffee, room temperature<br />
<br />
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line 30 muffin cups with
paper liners. <br />
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour and cocoa powder. Whisk in
sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. <br />
3. In another large bowl, whisk
together pudding mix, eggs, vanilla, sour cream and coffee.<br />
4. Add dry
ingredients and stir until well combined. <br />
5. Divide evenly into prepared pans.
Bake for 24-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake
comes out clean. Cool cupcakes on a wire rack completely before frosting.<br />
<br />
<strong>Mousse Filling:</strong><br />
- 2 c heavy whipping cream<br />
- 1 pkg instant chocolate pudding mix<br />
<br />1. Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. <br />
2. Add pudding mix and continue to whip mixture until stiff peaks form. <br />
3. Core out holes in the center of each cupcake using corer or by using a knife to cut out a hole.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlb7dlpc3PnpkA74t6SN9BY3s8iKacqI1HjIlKIH3HWnWPJBTVhZpOxmb-MSfCHiBgK_UR6Jo4VlQ0qwNwyHcif2LkR_7n_Wp43gmatcFcs1Owg56c5xh930rjYsOWOYadZnQFqWTwdvp/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlb7dlpc3PnpkA74t6SN9BY3s8iKacqI1HjIlKIH3HWnWPJBTVhZpOxmb-MSfCHiBgK_UR6Jo4VlQ0qwNwyHcif2LkR_7n_Wp43gmatcFcs1Owg56c5xh930rjYsOWOYadZnQFqWTwdvp/s320/060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
See my <strong>Tip of the Blog</strong> from <em>Sweet Strawberries</em> for an easy way to cut out holes in your cupcakes <a href="http://yellowrosescupcakes.blogspot.com/2012/07/sweet-strawberries.html">http://yellowrosescupcakes.blogspot.com/2012/07/sweet-strawberries.html</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
4. Fill a pastry bag with a #12 tip with mousse. Fill each cupcake with the mousse. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A_GZ8pS_SdJKGJ_WbixT1q-hDJQMQtRF3NckUV0yfF8o31Ki9SXXe7Jbz0fbsngrC5_8hur-MKjeSg7-VQYwt_-P0fN28mAsJsBZLiLbMrC9QZ-LifQrRzxrDoswAd7VIa3XmPiYM8x7/s320/072.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Overfill the cupcakes with the mousse slightly, to ensure that the cupcakes will have enough filling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>- </strong>1 c butter, softened</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 3/4 c cocoa powder</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 4 c powdered sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 3-4 tbsp milk</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. In mixing bowl, cream the butter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Add cocoa powder and vanilla extract</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl often.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Add the milk (start with 3 tbsp, and add the 4th tbsp if necessary) and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. Pipe onto cupcakes and enjoy your treat!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvlfL1IfTUUZnbw0H7-LeZbjNZKDT9cyYHVqQvMCVLJ7_EiJL0ZvzErvDPr-iGHEfRrLKvmhovsZJuNQ60xoFOkchfEtqGu2WA2Txf-9WxOIZXj7XfSJvDTiZxxnOWYK2JrJFxakIkoNO/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvlfL1IfTUUZnbw0H7-LeZbjNZKDT9cyYHVqQvMCVLJ7_EiJL0ZvzErvDPr-iGHEfRrLKvmhovsZJuNQ60xoFOkchfEtqGu2WA2Txf-9WxOIZXj7XfSJvDTiZxxnOWYK2JrJFxakIkoNO/s320/073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Tip of the Blog:</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSiXvOXA1wemAFjuQ7dQYcKg8L5xUCrTJ5dWrc72o5liTpDBreKbxjwvD312PRiUR_aOLUdsrIzyFMiLmuvPp_9F2DyiUqwYTNZqt3c6AoLllJJTHTf90IAn79wd1vWwCPOC4Oik8zbEX/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSiXvOXA1wemAFjuQ7dQYcKg8L5xUCrTJ5dWrc72o5liTpDBreKbxjwvD312PRiUR_aOLUdsrIzyFMiLmuvPp_9F2DyiUqwYTNZqt3c6AoLllJJTHTf90IAn79wd1vWwCPOC4Oik8zbEX/s320/063.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When using a pastry bag to pipe on frosting or fill a cupcake, only fill the bag halfway. If you overfill the bag, you won't be able to close the bag well and get a good grip on it to pipe well. Another trick I learned from a decorating class I took was to fold the bag over itself (see the pic above) when filling to get the frosting to the tip easier and keep the outside of the bag as clean as possible. Once filled, twist the top of the bag to keep air out and to keep a good grip on the bag as you pipe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-68175544947746210392012-07-30T10:20:00.002-04:002012-07-30T10:20:46.847-04:00Shoo-fly Cupcakes CAN be delicious!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is time to confess that I am not in love with all Pennsylvania Dutch foods. While I enjoy Whoopie Pies, soft pretzels and all the fresh produce Lancaster County has to offer, I don't eat sauerkraut, ham loaf is not a staple in my home, and Shoo-fly pie is definitely not a favorite. I have heard that it is an acquired taste, and apparently, it takes longer for some of us to acquire that taste! However, I recently had a friend, Mitch, give me some promotional ingredients from the company where he works. He works for <a href="http://www.goldenbarrel.com/">Good Food, Inc</a>. and one of the products they manufacture is molasses. In case you aren't exactly sure what molasses is, let me give you a little background. If you have never seen molasses, it looks like a really dark syrup. However, it has a very pungent smell and is not as sweet as syrup. Anyway, I took on the challenge of creating a Shoo-fly cupcake that would entice even those of us who aren't crazy about the pie. This is what I came up with...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBO1fUlXGTwkoc6Zc9-hiVBD0z4l_46Qvc-cy54OBKPB79m1uKtEmCAo9fMUxNVA2B08r1yqRQBMAnVfcdkC5zDzqFGebSkxV4cBrG2Qmsu53JstIRPsfTFDvMun6n9EypeZwQOiEFQQi/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBO1fUlXGTwkoc6Zc9-hiVBD0z4l_46Qvc-cy54OBKPB79m1uKtEmCAo9fMUxNVA2B08r1yqRQBMAnVfcdkC5zDzqFGebSkxV4cBrG2Qmsu53JstIRPsfTFDvMun6n9EypeZwQOiEFQQi/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Qxl8qV0NkyIlSzQbKs5G4DTlfXzFQy083ZC6JeerjA8TPhW8AKON7ZwVOgps59RYlknS6prhZhvY5-Jz2PkeEflCPvrKKSXFhpQ4NaoPQUWM43XMaBca7xhZHJSD2HIhJqb5QDZ6w8X5/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Qxl8qV0NkyIlSzQbKs5G4DTlfXzFQy083ZC6JeerjA8TPhW8AKON7ZwVOgps59RYlknS6prhZhvY5-Jz2PkeEflCPvrKKSXFhpQ4NaoPQUWM43XMaBca7xhZHJSD2HIhJqb5QDZ6w8X5/s640/040.JPG" width="480" /></a> This is the molasses that I used in my cupcakes. As I said before, this is locally made. I really like the idea of using as many local ingredients as I can, and I think when making cupcakes based on a Lancaster county dessert, it is only right to use molasses made right here! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Shoo-fly cupcake ingredients:</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 2 c boiling water</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 1 c dark molasses</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 4 c all-purpose flour</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 2 c dark brown sugar, firmly packed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 1 c butter, very cold and cubed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 1/4 tsp salt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 2 tsp baking soda</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Mix molasses and boiling water. Set aside.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iOcfUsrKE_bp3N6sok8CAVPQ7yD25vv1mIWU79YjYUswEpjCMcjtfKRjh9owVXUPKzfZuVhF3Tm7VIWSituO5_Xu5fqwFkh4d3iWgegyEiFHcJiguJq4wHL2eoECwP_BFiCzpF39ODSh/s400/042.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Set aside 1 cup to use for the topping. Add baking soda to remaining crumb mixture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5D3x6lyiEAevlhl6JPlPmcVG6lJHPoG5VVQNEWHmTY0S1FR5Xv3S9CCtTEBrJ1U4RiJJLh8jafajlvQAT0BvMFR-VyzzvDg8LpKvI6gbri-X7kNHb5rwxhZSIpNLbGJlgmvLKgd4mHwX/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I used a food processor to incorporate the cold butter into the flour mixture...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG_Z1r2PvO9y38829BARS1UIoq3HSA5CWekWHqb8olyhhqIcIVDDZrI0DIM719v92nou0Xxg1phWBJ2anA9xkeGfv2ouY1FyHgAupOgitZIU40wT4srjt6xdnmaVsx3DXyyG8DIa-O8ri/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG_Z1r2PvO9y38829BARS1UIoq3HSA5CWekWHqb8olyhhqIcIVDDZrI0DIM719v92nou0Xxg1phWBJ2anA9xkeGfv2ouY1FyHgAupOgitZIU40wT4srjt6xdnmaVsx3DXyyG8DIa-O8ri/s320/046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it looks like this afterwards. Then, I transferred the mixture to my mixing bowl (I needed more space!)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
3. Stir in molasses and water until well blended.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2s0eXqPjcK7UvwTwlTvZlxz2-nf4sQrARcNbzyHQsluuVnuEXIfXkmgz0N5QVLQH7CHtVRyThU6BRLgslxvajF6U59adnzvF3ECveGdA64xdZiz2SXv18nklaqMGxCGkf1a_E5fz4Yo2/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2s0eXqPjcK7UvwTwlTvZlxz2-nf4sQrARcNbzyHQsluuVnuEXIfXkmgz0N5QVLQH7CHtVRyThU6BRLgslxvajF6U59adnzvF3ECveGdA64xdZiz2SXv18nklaqMGxCGkf1a_E5fz4Yo2/s320/050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Fill paper-lined muffin cups about two-thirds full. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7AmjkNsZobl0d04nvLPk6tejJBEGyOY_R0u6n_QNPZ3RlsLcpGtWMDSKCK0sHdC5sp_xP9iyEJ-_4qSRKeb7dVU02O-T_AmVbxGPgNfEpxnSxC_EeWQWdvdsWGWy7jTQLD-N8Qpp8kdj/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7AmjkNsZobl0d04nvLPk6tejJBEGyOY_R0u6n_QNPZ3RlsLcpGtWMDSKCK0sHdC5sp_xP9iyEJ-_4qSRKeb7dVU02O-T_AmVbxGPgNfEpxnSxC_EeWQWdvdsWGWy7jTQLD-N8Qpp8kdj/s320/053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. Cool for 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the final product...wait, something is missing! It wouldn't be a true cupcake without some kind of frosting :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZescIImdfb3Yfh38hBJeiw3eP97cQ6w88aK-QXiXe_u0B_IOth3ZkByAlxwqlDaLgGBMgPI8arYxFlMgJkExjIj73sV1SzTCsCMyn8vhXYymb-LfbLnYTFX9loFwjapJ8v6xZ187KA_D/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZescIImdfb3Yfh38hBJeiw3eP97cQ6w88aK-QXiXe_u0B_IOth3ZkByAlxwqlDaLgGBMgPI8arYxFlMgJkExjIj73sV1SzTCsCMyn8vhXYymb-LfbLnYTFX9loFwjapJ8v6xZ187KA_D/s320/058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZescIImdfb3Yfh38hBJeiw3eP97cQ6w88aK-QXiXe_u0B_IOth3ZkByAlxwqlDaLgGBMgPI8arYxFlMgJkExjIj73sV1SzTCsCMyn8vhXYymb-LfbLnYTFX9loFwjapJ8v6xZ187KA_D/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZescIImdfb3Yfh38hBJeiw3eP97cQ6w88aK-QXiXe_u0B_IOth3ZkByAlxwqlDaLgGBMgPI8arYxFlMgJkExjIj73sV1SzTCsCMyn8vhXYymb-LfbLnYTFX9loFwjapJ8v6xZ187KA_D/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on">
</div>
<strong>Whipped Cream Frosting:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 2 c heavy whipping cream</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 1/2 c powdered sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- 1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Mix whipping cream on high until soft peaks form.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. I like the sweetness this adds, but you can always add more or less powdered sugar to suit your taste. Whip until stiff peaks form.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Now</em> here is the final product!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEYdQocqUSImIC594-i2YTz-ivNpdzSfB1EAA5q5sLLPvhTuwojjCvNtmHy5OdUdiUsjjitDHk4yR43ScrbBhuy2YBOCIbhrtfmbX09SpfUoN1N_SuELcTgNq-ISWhXwH6Pm6WMwKHwJF/s1600/IMG_6738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEYdQocqUSImIC594-i2YTz-ivNpdzSfB1EAA5q5sLLPvhTuwojjCvNtmHy5OdUdiUsjjitDHk4yR43ScrbBhuy2YBOCIbhrtfmbX09SpfUoN1N_SuELcTgNq-ISWhXwH6Pm6WMwKHwJF/s320/IMG_6738.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
This really does make a great cupcake, one that even those of us who are not fans of the traditional pie can appreciate!<br />
<br />
<strong>Cupcake Tip of the Blog:</strong><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When making a whipped cream frosting, put a stainless steel bowl and wire mixing paddle in the freezer for 15-30 minutes. This will keep your cream cold and allow it to get fluffy and stay set when you whip it. </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you to <strong><a href="http://www.goldenbarrel.com/">Good Food Inc</a></strong>. and <strong>Mitch Hertzler</strong> for supplying the molasses and brown sugar samples for use in these cupcakes. I hope I made Lancaster County proud!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />Coming up-the Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake! Check back soon for some chocolate decadence!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-57723888282915688362012-07-11T10:00:00.003-04:002012-07-11T10:00:57.934-04:00Sweet Strawberries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know I said I was going to talk about some lemon-blueberry cupcakes I have made, however I made strawberry shortcake cupcakes over the weekend and they are so fresh in my mind. My husband had some friends over for a game night the other night, and I thought they would be perfect taste-testers for a new cupcake. My husband loves strawberry shortcake, so we came up with a strawberry shortcake cupcake. It is a yellow cupcake with a strawberry compote center and a strawberry buttercream. Had the humidity not been so intense, my original frosting-a sweet whipped cream-would have survived. Sadly, it was so humid that my whipped cream fell flat after just a few minutes. And being the perfectionist that I am, I had to make a frosting that not only tasted great but looked beautiful. The cupcakes still came out great, and my husband's friends seemed to like them. So, add one more to the recipe box for the future bakery!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtjj7DlBmKU2hWDMGynjXIVyTjC9TcgY3El8N0HmjkmhLDtMwg0-n8W76hmedrzyJUPZ4uQS8zR43AOAqfsD0aPYMcU3ZQt8kBK_gE1c3ay16EYIe6641q3UQklWT-3TBdbGnrqwSnEjy/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtjj7DlBmKU2hWDMGynjXIVyTjC9TcgY3El8N0HmjkmhLDtMwg0-n8W76hmedrzyJUPZ4uQS8zR43AOAqfsD0aPYMcU3ZQt8kBK_gE1c3ay16EYIe6641q3UQklWT-3TBdbGnrqwSnEjy/s400/021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh strawberries in the frosting add a sweet, natural touch to these cupcakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Cupcake ingredients:</strong><br />
- 1 1/2 c all purpose flour<br />
- 1 c white sugar<br />
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
- 1/4 tsp salt<br />
- 1/2 c unsalted butter, room temperature<br />
- 1 large egg, room temperature<br />
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature<br />
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract<br />
- 1/2 c sour cream, room temperature<br />
<br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.<br />
<br />
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.<br />
<br />
3. Using electric mixer, mix the butter, egg, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and sour cream until blended well. I like to add the egg and egg yolks one at a time.<br />
<br />
4. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just blended, do not over mix.<br />
<br />
5. Evenly fill the paper cups. Baker for 25 minutes, until pale gold and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.<br />
<br />
6. Set on cooling rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, let's start on the compote!<br />
<br />
<strong>Strawberry Filling:</strong><br />
-32 oz fresh strawberries<br />
- 1/4 c sugar<br />
- 1 lemon, juiced<br />
- 3 tbsp cornstarch<br />
- pinch of salt<br />
<br />
1. Rinse, drain, remove caps and dice strawberries small. <br />
<br />
2. Place in a large bowl and add sugar. Stir and allow to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
3. After 30 minutes, drain the juice from the strawberries into a 1 cup measuring cup. Add enough water to make 1 full cup, if necessary.<br />
<br />
4. In a small saucepan, combine the strawberry liquid, lemon juice, cornstarch and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and becomes thick enough to coat back of spoon.<br />
<br />
5. Remove from stove and cool completely. Stir cooled mixture into strawberries and stir. *I left the strawberries in chunks to add some texture, but you can always puree the filling if you like a smoother texture*<br />
<br />
6. Now, to fill the cupcakes I used a small apple corer to create a hole in the center of the cupcakes. <br />
<br />
7. Fill each cupcake with a healthy amount of the filling, I tend to overfill a little to assure the cupcakes are full (this is where taking pictures throughout the process would be helpful! Lesson learned.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWr_7MCkW3Eb6Q1lDAGZlW7uYW9naHWCRHPEXTAQrGxAiTLyXE9K8QOh8qhKwaec5osHGfC3JlstRW8EmrR5FU42VZYTdxeIuFOIWHQmf4HL-ogb55dh4ZZZcaCZFqUckFiAYjp_c7C_7/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWr_7MCkW3Eb6Q1lDAGZlW7uYW9naHWCRHPEXTAQrGxAiTLyXE9K8QOh8qhKwaec5osHGfC3JlstRW8EmrR5FU42VZYTdxeIuFOIWHQmf4HL-ogb55dh4ZZZcaCZFqUckFiAYjp_c7C_7/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a corer helps to make perfect, uniform holes in the cupcakes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Frosting time!<br />
<br />
<strong>Strawberry Frosting:</strong><br />
- 1 c unsalted butter, softened<br />
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract<br />
- 4 c powdered sugar, sifted<br />
- 1 tbsp milk<br />
- 1/2 c fresh strawberries, diced very small<br />
<br />
1. In a large bowl, cream butter with electric mixer. <br />
<br />
2. Add vanilla <br />
<br />
3. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally. <br />
<br />
4. Add the milk and the strawberries and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. I only used 1 tbsp of milk, because the strawberries add moisture too, but if you prefer a thinner frosting, add more milk.<br />
<br />
5. Pipe or spread frosting onto cupcakes and this is what you get!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV87dsfgbI3uQPCwv3Gr0i-CBhjpcOr6FkbIm0jN9HsqUsMGNCPjQ1iC1GnhrpWU96MY5H_1RpVO4VQHrOo0y-3YI5sNY_zJmbu-Pp5wCUCbUqEnrR087_bRqxX57ZRxgYmVrWSavhi7BH/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV87dsfgbI3uQPCwv3Gr0i-CBhjpcOr6FkbIm0jN9HsqUsMGNCPjQ1iC1GnhrpWU96MY5H_1RpVO4VQHrOo0y-3YI5sNY_zJmbu-Pp5wCUCbUqEnrR087_bRqxX57ZRxgYmVrWSavhi7BH/s400/032.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Now, there are some changes I might make to these in the future, just to try something different: I might make a strawberry mousse filling and try that sweet whipped cream frosting. What do you think?<br />
<br />
I bought some peaches at the store last night, so today the kids and I are going to test a peach cupcake with brown sugar frosting. Feel free to drop me a line if you are interested in trying these!!<br />
<br />
<strong>Cupcake Tip of the Blog</strong><br />
A new addition to the blog I thought might be fun was to add a <strong>Cupcake Tip of the Blog</strong>. So tip #1: if you let your cupcakes cool in the fridge, they will be firm and it will be much easier to cut/core out center. Also, make sure not to dig too far down, or else you will take paper liner with you!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-43787655394732440802012-07-05T21:36:00.001-04:002012-07-05T21:36:21.039-04:00Peanut Butter BlissPeanut butter and chocolate are a classic combination, so it makes sense to make a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting. But I decided to change it up a bit and make a chocolate cupcake that is actually healthier (that's right, I said healthier). I had found a recipe a while back for a low fat chocolate cupcake, and I gave it a try. I figured maybe I wouldn't feel so guilty eating chocolate if it didn't have eggs or butter or oil in it. The original recipe actually uses a cake mix, but I really wanted to make my batter from scratch. With my husband and my kids as my guinea pigs, I set out last week to make the perfect "healthy" chocolate cupcake. I love how these cupcakes come out so moist, especially since chocolate cupcakes have a tendancy to dry out. Now, let me be honest here and say that there is nothing healthy about the peanut butter frosting! However, it tastes amazing and compliments the cupcake really well. Below is the recipe for both the cupcake and frosting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC-sKLrw2SrEFeO4Nhj8-dWEBuy16i82N0okOR-t2exfCkc1hEVxdgs1byiXS1TvCpb5LMKs1-mh-Mj_MZb-ZiLb1n-5DtYM4SUHdhCRXsL1A2HlM5tx46AZcRQTEcs1k9RhGKc04RlyS/s1600/IMG_6437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC-sKLrw2SrEFeO4Nhj8-dWEBuy16i82N0okOR-t2exfCkc1hEVxdgs1byiXS1TvCpb5LMKs1-mh-Mj_MZb-ZiLb1n-5DtYM4SUHdhCRXsL1A2HlM5tx46AZcRQTEcs1k9RhGKc04RlyS/s640/IMG_6437.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you to my friend, Kat Hertzler, for taking these photos! I found these cute green polka dot cupcake liners to use, I love all the choices there are these days!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Chocolate Cupcakes:</strong><br />
- 2 c all purpose flour<br />
- 1 c unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Wilbur's dutch cocoa-for those local folks who want to use something truly decadent!)<br />
- 2 c sugar<br />
- 1 tsp baking soda<br />
- 1 tsp baking powder<br />
- 1/2 tsp salt<br />
- 1 pkg sugar free chocolate pudding mix (1.4 oz)<br />
- 1 c pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)<br />
- 2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
- 1 c sour cream<br />
- 1 c coffee, room temperature<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. In a large bowl, sift together flour and cocoa powder. Whisk in sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another large bowl, whisk together pudding mix, pumpkin puree, vanilla, sour cream and coffee. Add dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Divide evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 24-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool cupcakes on a wire rack completely before frosting.<br />
<br />
<strong>Peanut Butter Frosting:</strong><br />
- 1/2 c butter<br />
- 1 c creamy peanut butter<br />
- 4 c powdered sugar<br />
- 1/3 c heavy cream (can substitute with milk)<br />
- 1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
<br />
In a large bowl, beat butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in 1/2 of the powdered sugar, 1/4 c of the cream and the vanilla extract. Beat in the remaining powdered sugar, adding the remaining cream until the consistency you want is reached. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes.<br />
<br />
Here is another look at the end result:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4KnAYNIV5QymBt4tUPVct4iQNyxVtlikI91QxmLRsR9hkP3F6Ys_gyBxb8tWrbvKnFF0XMMuoWdQxYVfsHiIUhcdIiW0NAYYK7z2CR5RQAOqLSs4JJOjHCE84ujP69hjTncNPcVxDrDr/s1600/IMG_6433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4KnAYNIV5QymBt4tUPVct4iQNyxVtlikI91QxmLRsR9hkP3F6Ys_gyBxb8tWrbvKnFF0XMMuoWdQxYVfsHiIUhcdIiW0NAYYK7z2CR5RQAOqLSs4JJOjHCE84ujP69hjTncNPcVxDrDr/s400/IMG_6433.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I promise you will not be able to tell that these are made without eggs, butter or oil. It's just a small way to cut out some of the fat and calories, while still being able to enjoy a little taste of heaven. Enjoy!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If any of you out there have a suggestion for a cupcake flavor, feel free to let me know and I will experiment for you. Of course, you can have the end result! <br />
<br />
Next blog, a cupcake that will make you think of summer. How about a blueberry and lemon cupcake? Check back soon for some more cupcake bliss :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797758423959158850.post-84874971009627769462012-06-30T00:08:00.002-04:002012-08-24T08:35:26.299-04:00Welcome to Yellowroses Cupcakes!<span lang="">As a mother of three wonderful kids, we have a lot of parties at our house. We love to entertain friends and family, and I have found that one of the best and most versatile desserts are cupcakes. I guess that is where my passion of baking cupcakes started. For my daughter, Hannah's 2nd birthday party, I made simple vanilla cupcakes with a marshmallow buttercream frosting. But the fun was in decorating the cupcakes, I actually spray-painted them pink (with food safe paint, of course!) and put edible pearls on them. I was surprised how many people commented on how they looked like I had bought them at a bakery. That inspired me to try new flavor combinations and to improve on my baking and decorating skills. I can't say that I am a true professional yet, and I have so much to learn about decorating. I want to expand my skills to be able to make chocolate decorations and roll fondant and even make candy, but for now I am happy that my baking skills have captured the attention of my family and friends, and that I have their support to see where this cupcake-making obsession leads (hopefully, one day it will lead to my own cupcakery!).</span><br /><br /><table style="text-align: center; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucOpQqmVpcyHDve9eyVOGCm42pO40lh-rATMykxDTQ2n9srVIb1Tod6dJWCjxGQ-cB1XJcLuFt_wlz2JPB8j7vOeBGH0V7UxnFWjCYB_85r_zy_lPUV7JHiq4a9hvlUiT_0z8-FMY53GL/s1600/From+phone+103.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucOpQqmVpcyHDve9eyVOGCm42pO40lh-rATMykxDTQ2n9srVIb1Tod6dJWCjxGQ-cB1XJcLuFt_wlz2JPB8j7vOeBGH0V7UxnFWjCYB_85r_zy_lPUV7JHiq4a9hvlUiT_0z8-FMY53GL/s400/From+phone+103.jpg" width="400" height="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;" class="tr-caption"><strong>Vanilla cupcakes with pink marshmallow buttercream frosting</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="">One of the first cupcakes I made is the Snickerdoodle cupcake. Snickerdoodles are one of my family's favorite type of cookies, especially at Christmas time, so what better inspiration for a yummy cupcake? Below is the recipe I found and tweaked to suit my taste, enjoy!</span><br /><table style="text-align: center; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-bEivd0yn5H4q0KBN9RbLaw1YPjWcU3msHoN09SEVdMs_OwLHJq-adQKemvbJWxquSsDnrCIIvt4rKpbV1KJIJ7rIZO4W28TgtrYo0wxXJ4CfRMT_h-k_gcn1mAPlLV8_B-0n1wbDZ6k/s1600/IMG_6214.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-bEivd0yn5H4q0KBN9RbLaw1YPjWcU3msHoN09SEVdMs_OwLHJq-adQKemvbJWxquSsDnrCIIvt4rKpbV1KJIJ7rIZO4W28TgtrYo0wxXJ4CfRMT_h-k_gcn1mAPlLV8_B-0n1wbDZ6k/s400/IMG_6214.JPG" width="400" height="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center;" class="tr-caption"><strong>These Snickerdoodle cupcakes taste just like the cookie, but with a moist cupcake and amazing buttercream frosting, they are Snickerdoodles taken to another level!</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang=""></span><b>Cupcake Ingredients:</b><br />- 1 1/2 c flour<br />- 1 1/2 c cake flour, sifted<br />- 1 Tbsp baking powder<br />- 1/2 tsp salt<br />- 2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />- 2 sticks butter, unsalted and softened<br />- 1 3/4 c sugar<br />- 4 lg eggs, room temperature<br />- 2 tsp vanilla extract<br />- 1 1/4 c milk<br /><br /><b>Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:<br /></b>- 1 c butter, room temperature<br />- 4 1/2 c powdered sugar, sifted<br />- 3-4 Tbsp milk<br />- 2 tsp vanilla extract<br />- 2 tsp cinnamon<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size:large;">Directions<br /></span>Cupcakes:<br /></b>1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prep 2 - 12-cupcake pans with cupcake liners.<br />2. Sift together in a large bowl the flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.<br />3. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy<br />4. Add egss one at a time, blend after each egg, then add the vanilla extract. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.<br />5. Add the flour mixture in 3 increments, alternate with 2 additions of the milk. Blend well, but do not over mix.<br />6. Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake tins, filling about 3/4 full.<br />7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotate the cupcakes halfway through the baking process if needed to evenly brown. Test with a cake tester or toothpick, and if it comes out clean, it is done.<br />8. Remove the cupcakes from the oven onto a wire rack, let cool for 20 minutes before removing cupcakes from the pan.<br /><br /><b>Frosting:<br /></b>1. With mixer on low speed, blend butter till fluffy, about 30 seconds.<br />2. Add sugar, 3 Tbsp of milk and vanilla extract, blend lightly. Add cinnamon and continue mixing until sugar is well incorporated.<br />3. Increase the speed and beat until fluffy. If the frosting is stiff, add the remaining 1 Tbsp milk and blend well.<br />4. Be sure that the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting or piping with frosting.<br />5. Sprinkle additional cinnamon over the frosting. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a style="margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8S9BIlmFSRPBUB8pVVv48YvXx3Z00LXa-JeIhf0O05a3GNCVz5tKrpkiDvhi-G0hnmM13zVvyGowhemjXgggTlntF8nFIejNBMrsCTZ7D8xZPdMTZafvzBvPV9jHdW2QL0B9m39lhS_8A/s1600/IMG_6217.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8S9BIlmFSRPBUB8pVVv48YvXx3Z00LXa-JeIhf0O05a3GNCVz5tKrpkiDvhi-G0hnmM13zVvyGowhemjXgggTlntF8nFIejNBMrsCTZ7D8xZPdMTZafvzBvPV9jHdW2QL0B9m39lhS_8A/s640/IMG_6217.JPG" width="426" height="640" /></a><br /><br />This recipe was adapted from justapinch.com.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0