New Blog: Wedding Cake

I have attempted to create a new blog that meshes my life with my baking (since they are pretty much the same thing!)  Check out my new blog here and follow along for updates on my new life in Virginia, my cooking and baking adventures and trying to create a "city" life.

Thanks for following and hopefully you check out my new blog :)

Reese's Puff Cupcakes - I'm Cereal!

Sorry for the pun in the title!  I just couldn't help myself but to have a little fun with the title!  I made these cupcakes a few weeks ago for my best friend and her fiancee!  I asked for his favorite type of food/sweets because he always sees and comments on my baking adventures but since he lives in Texas - he can't really taste them!  When he said he loves Reese's Puffs - I KNEW I had to try! (Benefit: Also my boyfriends favorite cereal and I was about to go and visit him)

I found a great recipe online and attempted to make the cupcakes!  It was fun to make a peanut butter icing! and even a chocolate ganache - I had to try and not eat the icing before I put it on the chocolate cupcakes.  I looove Peanut Butter!  The fun part was putting all of the Reese's Puffs on top - I tried to get as many as possible on top to make it super Peanut Buttery and Chocolate-y!  What do you think?  Try it out and BAKE ON!

Red, White, and Blue - YUM!

This isn't my typical baking post - but I really wanted to share this recipe, because it was creative, festive and fun!  I can't wait to re-create these Jell-O Shots for many different occasions (I even have a request for football team related shots!)  I saw these on Pinterest - but sadly couldn't find a recipe, so I had to make my own concoction and it was definitely worth it!

I finally found Jell-O shot cups after searching so many different stores - thank you Party City! I mixed Blue Raspberry Jell-O with Pineapple Cruzan Rum and poured them into the bottom of cups.  Then froze those until they were solid.  Next up - WHITE!  So I added some cool whip and spread it to make a nice layer.  I had to freeze them again, to make sure the red didn't seep through. Then... I mixed Strawberry Jell-O with Mango Cruzan Rum and put that in the refrigerator to allow it to set up a bit before pouring onto the top layer.

I finally added the red to the top of the cups, sealed the cups and put them in the freezer to get ready in time for our 4th of July BBQ!  They came out DELICIOUS.  They were a little too large as a shooter - so some even ate them with a spoon, but the cool whip made it really refreshing and the fruity flavors mixed well.  Take a look and stay tuned to other future MIXTURES :)  Bake (and shot) on!

Ice Cream or Cupcakes? BOTH!

I've seen these many times before, but I never attempted them until this past 4th of July!  Every 4th, I try and make something unique and new that will challenge my baking skills.  It's a tradition from after my freshmen year of college (Summer '07) in which my Mom started my love of baking by challenging me to create the Teddy Graham Swimming Pool.

This year, I went with an easier recipe but still challenging.  I made cupcakes in ice-cream cones!  I had to figure out how to balance the cones in my baking pan, then scoop in enough batter and make sure they baked all the way through.  I definitely made a bit of a mess, and a few overflowed, but they looked super cute!  Everyone enjoyed them thoroughly, and I think they look more complicated than they actually are!  Take a look and let me know what you think!  BAKE ON!

A Special Birthday for Grandpa!

My Grandpa turned 80 this past June 9th, and he is probably one of the most important male figures in my life.  I grew up, upstairs from him and I truly do appreciate who he is and what he has done for me.  What is extra special is, he was in the Navy and my boyfriend is in the Navy - so they especially get along :)

I was assigned to make his birthday cake for his 80th birthday - and since we were only doing dinner for his birthday (instead of a surprise party) - I made him a golf themed cake and then a Strawberry short cake.  He told me that his favorite cake was Strawberry shortcake - so I attempted to make that from scratch.  It was good, just different from any kind of cake I have ever made.  It was delicious but just not my usual moist buttermilk-type of cake.  Check them out and let me know what you think.  My grandpa enjoyed them both, and I was happy that I could do something special for him for everything he has done for me!

Whoopie Fun (fetti)

Like I have mentioned many times before - Pinterest is my obsession!  And it's great because it constantly inspires me to make more and more desserts.  I have expanded outside of just cakes, into cupcakes, and pies and cookies and different flavor combinations and decorations.  This time, I decided to try and make Whoopie Pies.  I had purchased a Whoopie Pie cookie sheet and figured it was time to put it to use.  I found a recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker - that used Funfetti cake mix and turned them into the MOST delicious Whoopie Pies.

It's a combination of box mixed cake, fresh ingredients and icing made from scratch.  Once that is all done (the icing is a combination of cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla!), you create your Whoopie Pies and then add some colorful sprinkles to the icing to really make them Fun! I look forward to making more and different types of Whoopie Pies- so stay tuned.  And if you're looking for an easy recipe to impress - I'd try any Whoopie Pie from Betty Crocker!  Enjoy & Bake on!

Cuse Cake Off - FINAL FOUR!

I know it's been a few weeks since I have last posted, and I actually have a new cupcake to feature (stay tuned this weekend).  But this post is a SPECIAL post.   Remember the Cuse Cake Off that I entered - well I made it to the final four!

Voting ends tonight at midnight - so please check out the competition and vote for my Cupcake Otto (Vicki S) and vote!  Greatly appreciated!  And remember BAKE ON!