Monday, October 6, 2008

Emily's Cupcake

Mini cupcakes. Vanilla cake and vanilla butter cream with red rose decal.  I made these for my friend's birthday. Happy birthday Em!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Make Cupcakes Not War

Chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream, with handmade dark chocolate peace signs.  These were made for an anti-war group in Lake Forest Park.   


Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Sunday Cupcakes

These chocolate cupcakes have the perfect proportions of baking powder and baking soda for a nice, rounded top.  To bring out the chocolate flavor, I used hot brewed coffee, instead of hot water.  I also added miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips just before I baked them.

The chocolate cupcakes were topped with a vanilla buttercream, chocolate sprinkles, and a cherry on top.  I didn't have time to do this, but I would have liked to incorporate the cherry flavor into the cupcake.   Next time I make these, I will put a cherry filling in the middle.  


Friday, April 4, 2008

Blue Moon Cupcakes


Honestly, this is the best chocolate cake recipe I've come by taste wise.  Looks wise, it might not be the best recipe for cupcakes.  They turn out a little flat, but are extremely rich and moist. 


These were cupcakes for another order for a birthday party.  They are topped with a mint vanilla buttercream, and miniature chocolate chips.  I think the blue turned out more electric than the sky blue I was promised, but I still think the color turned out exciting.


Thursday, April 3, 2008

Rosebud of Avonmore Cupcakes

Rosebud of Avonmore Cupcakes are a yellow cake with a thick cream cheese frosting.  The cupcakes were named from the traditional fiddle tune "Rosebud of Avonmore".  

These cupcakes were an order for a birthday party.  Would you like cupcakes at yours? Let me know, I'd love to bake 'em!  I charge about $30 for 1 dozen cupcakes, $18 for 2 dozen mini cupcakes, depending on the ingredients. They are homemade, yummy, and custom fit to your desire!


Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Orange Blossom Cupcakes


Orange Blossom Cupcakes are a chocolate and orange flavored cake with an orange glaze.  They are simply made by adding orange juice to chocolate cake mix!  They are named after "Orange Blossom" by Mark O'Connor.

Orange Blossom Cupcakes
*makes about 24 cupcakes, recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis
**I recommend omitting or the Limoncello Frosting. I'd rather go with a chocolate glaze or cream cheese frosting.

1 box chocolate cake mix ( I used Trader Joe's Chocolate Orange Cake Mix)
Orange juice (instead of water used in cake mix)
1 cup chocolate chips 
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 cup diced candied orange peel

1.  Preheat oven to cake mix package directions. Line 2 muffin pans with cupcake liners.
2.  Mix chocolate cake mix according to package directions. Use orange juice in place of the water needed.  Place chocolate chips into small bowl and toss with flour (this will keep them from sinking to the bottom of the batter).  Fold chocolate chips and candied orange peel into chocolate mixture.
3.  Fill and bake cupcakes using package instructions.  Cool on wire rack completely before frosting.

Limoncello Frosting
*I would recommend sifting the powdered sugar first. Then beat the butter on high speed, then add sifted powdered sugar, limoncello, orange juice, and orange zest.  Add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency and sweetness you want to achieve.

2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons butter, softened (1/2 stick)
2 tablespoons limoncello (or lemon juice)
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 orange, zested
1/4 cup finely diced orange peel

1. Combine all ingredients except candied orange peel in medium bowl.  Using hand mixer, beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.  Using small spatula, place about 1 tablespoon of frosting on top of each cupcake. Top with candied orange peel.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Black and White Rag Cupcakes


Black and White Rag Cupcakes are rich chocolate cupcakes, with almost brownie like texture, and mint buttercream.  Inspired by the traditional Texas-style fiddle tune "Black and White Rag".


Blue Moon of Confetti Cupcakes


Blue Moon of Confetti Cupcakes is a white cake with sprinkles thrown in the batter.  Inspired by "Blue Moon of Kentucky" by Bill Monroe.

Blue Moon of Confetti Cupcakes
*makes 22-24 cupcakes

4 egg whites, room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened ( you can also use shortening for a whiter cake)
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup sprinkles

1. Allow egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Line cupcake pans.  Preheat oven to 350 F.  Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. In large bowl, beat butter on high speed for 30 seconds until creamy.  Slowly add sugar until mixture has light texture and is incorporated.  Add vanilla.  Beat in egg whites one at a time.  Alternatively add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beating on low speed until each is just combined.  Stir in sprinkles.  Fill cupcake liners with about 1/4 cup batter.  
3. Bake at 350 F for 110-15 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool on wire rack, and wait until cool to frost.

Blue Vanilla Buttercream
 
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
6-8 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Blue food coloring

1. Beat butter on high speed until creamy.  Add 4 cups powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and beat on low speed. Add food coloring to desired shade (I used about 8 drops of neon blue).  Add sugar until desired consistency and sweetness.
2.  I used a .1M piping tip to frost the cupcakes.  


Granny White Special Cupcake


Granny White Special, is a vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream.  A classic.  Inspired by Mark O'Connor's "Granny White Special".