Happy St.Patrick's Day!!!

I may only be a "wee" bit Irish -but this year I went all out for St. Patrick's Day (my boyfriend is really Irish!).  I went all out and bought green necklaces, shamrock glasses, Leprechaun hat headbands, and of course, cupcake tins! I searched online for some Irish themed cupcakes, and Irish Car Bomb cupcakes and I knew I had to make them!

 It was a Guinness chocolate cupcake, a Jameson ganache, and a Bailey's Irish Cream buttercream icing!  It was the first time I incorporated beer into a cupcake, and it was quite the experience - I paid close attention as to not burn the beer, and the cupcakes came out perfectly!  It was also the first time I made a ganache, and I was a little afraid about getting the chocolate chopped properly and getting the right consistency.  I probably could have let it sit and cool a bit longer, but it was also delicious!

I finished the cupcakes - and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the cupcakes, and I have to make them again this weekend for my sister in law's birthday...so more adventures to come!  Bake on!

Yummmmmy Cupcakes!

I will usually taste my cupcakes before handing them out (USUALLY)... but I also kind of like the surprise and the feedback of other people.  Especially when I try a new flavor - I like the criticism, because it's always positive because it can only make me a better baker!

It was my best friend in the entire world's birthday last week, and sadly - we couldn't spend it together.  So I went to visit her this past weekend for a birthday re-celebration with her family.  She had asked me the month prior to her birthday to make her some special cupcakes (last year, I made her Princess Aurora).  I started to brainstorm of something cool to do - but I knew what would make her happiest.  We bonded over a few inside jokes in middle school, and one of them was Milkyways!

So I made  her Milkyway flavored cupcakes - I melted down Milkyway bars, folded them into the cupcake batter, and made a chocolate butter cream.  As you bit into the full cupcake, it was as if a Milkyway exploded!  I was quite proud of them... I am looking forward to making some other candy bar cupcakes in the future, so stay tuned and bake on!

Go Army!

I work with a pretty awesome sales team as my regular 9-6, mon-fri job...and one of the benefits of sales is the fact that they can wine and dine clients!  And sometimes it's nice to send a little something to thank our clients for their time and consideration.

Well...when I heard one of our sales guys was meeting with the marketing team for Army -- I HAD to make something!  Whether or not we work them or not, I wanted the opportunity to make some custom Army cupcakes.  (Especially since my best friend is going to marry someone in the Army).  The cupcakes were pretty simple, nothing too difficult, but fun to make!  What do you think of them?

BAKE ON!