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!