Easter Goodies!

Pastel blue Cupcake #1

Pink Cupcake #1

Chick gang #1

Ugly Duckling ?..

The chicks #2

Strawberry Cheesecake #1

#2..

#3.

Carrot Cake #1

Over the Rainbow Cupcakes!

Welcome March and soon to be Spring weather! Today (my birthday) was one of the most beautiful days NYC has seen all year, so far! Reaching a bang of 70 degrees Farenheit and warm sunshine :) What else can you ask for?!....

What's that you say?...

Ahhh...Yes! a Cupcake :)

Today in class (work)..My class of three and I put these delectable little treats together. A simple vanilla cake recipe, white frosting, green coconut and the famous Rainbow Candy Belt. The kiddo's loved every step along the way in making these clever cupcakes ;)..

Let me tell you something, it wasn't easy finding these Rainbow candy belts either! That's for sure. I searched bodega to bodega, Duane Reade and then to 711 where I picked up my morning fix this morning. No luck. Then while walking out of 711 balancing coffee and phone in right hand and bags of eggs and milk in left I steered in the left direction on 1st Ave. and saw a walk down deli.. "Hmm.." I thought. I insisted on giving it one last try on the search for my Rainbow Candy belts. After all, I really would rather bake cupcakes today then knead green dough for 10 minutes with the little ones. I walk in and search the display of Nerds, Starbursts, Skittles, Airheads...getting closer!..BOOM! There it was, 'Airheads Rainbow berry Xtreme', I found it!! and couldn't thank the little old man behind the counter enough. I briefly explained to him how my morning was (he actually seemed interested, then complemented my hair, being green and asked if that's how I'm celebrating St. Patrick's Day). Long story short, my hair is actually TEAL and I got asked that Question about 20 times today. I finally just started nodding as the day dwindled down agreeing that Yes my hair is green (underneath) when it is in fact, not...

As for the little old man, he told me that those candy belts will always be there if I need them :) I shall pick more up tomorrow for the remainder of classes left in the week.

Turkey-Day Dlights!

I've recently come to realize how MANY photos of fall/thanksgiving dessert photos I have. Not only is it overwhelming to upload (from my phone!) all of these pics, that is. But I came to the conclusion that I am in need of a professional camera, ASAP! Hi Black Friday!...right around the corner ;)

Mini Banana bread loaf with a chocolate drizzle.

Chocolate Oat Surprise Muffin (the surprise? Oooey gooey chocolate goodness in the center)..mmmm

Spiced baked custard (baked in an orange peel, that is! lemon twist for garnish)

Whole Wheat Cranberry muffins. Baked in parchment paper, for a more...Rustic/Homey look.

Sweet Potato bread pudding. Topped with charred Marshmallows that crunch first & then melt in your mouth.

Old fashioned donuts. Rolled in a warm brown sugar, nutmeg & cinnamon combo.

Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes. Topped & filled with a rich cinnamon cream cheese icing.

Soul-warming Spiced Cupcakes

From the Everyday FOOD magazine of Martha Stewart.
This was the perfect combo of a nice pumpkin/cinnamon sensation. Not too overpowering, just right.

Cupcakes
-2 Sticks Unsalted Butter (make sure it is always room temp.)
-1 1/2 C. AP flour
-1 1/2 tspns. coarse salt
-1/2 tspn. cinnamon (I added a pinch more ;)..
-1/2 tspn. ground nutmeg
-1/4 tspn. ground cardamom
-1 C. light brown sugar
-2 Large eggs (also room temp.)
-1/2 C. whole milk
-1 oz. unsulfured molassus
-2 oz. canned pumpkin
-1 tspn. baking soda

*Combine all dry ingredient, sifted all together. I reccommend sifting and then adding it onto a sheet of parchment paper. Then when the time comes to add your dry goods, you fold it (think taco)..and distribute it into the mixing bowl, for a nice quick non-mess-of-a-clean-up!) ;)

-Pre Bake @ 350...grease and flour the pans (dump excess flour out, better yet..CONSERVE!)

*Combine butter + brown sugar, beat on high until light and fluffy)
*Add eggs, one at a time..until both combined. Using spatula to scrape along the sides of bowl.
*Turn your mixer down to a (2) Add your dry goods, nice and sifted together, in three additions. Btwn. each addition, pour your milk in. Beat well!
*Lastly, add your canned pumpkin, mix a bit, just until all combined.


- - Add cupcake mix into your cupcake pan - -
*(Sprinkle some sugar on top of batter just for a great first impressionable bite)*


*BAKE 12 - 15mins. until goldren. Rotate your pan in middle of baking. :)
NOW..Martha says, a citrus glaze works well with these here cucpakes. I believe they do, really. But I was in the mood for some cream cheese frosting instead..Here is my recipe I put together. Both adding and subtracting from various recipes.


My Cream Cheese recipe

-8oz. Cream cheese
-1 Stick. Unsalted Butter (Cut into cubes, left @ rm. temp.)
-1 C. Confect. Sugar, sifted.
-1 1/2 tspn. Vanilla extract.

*Combine cream cheese and sugar. Beat until fluffy, add in your cubes of Butter, combine once again!..Then lastly, for your tastebuds, the lovely appearance of Vanilla extract!..

You can add in some color now if you'd like! I added orange.

Pipe onto your desserts with a piping bag! (I used a Tip #6)..or just a plastic ziplock with a big enough hole at the bottom corner will do..

These are so savory and yummy, just plain without the frosting!..

ENJOI!

Candy Cupcakes

My miniature chocolate bottom cuppers!..

I first started with some awesome candy molds (think ree
ses cups)..So here I go again, doing what I do best!
(tempering chocolate!)..if you've never tempered choc.
i guarantee you, it is not easy. It's all about AT&T
Agitating, Time and Temp...it is a definit process to
say the least. And that is another reason why I am thankful for Pastry school (smiles)..I am a master. But NEVER
try the temper in a humid enviroment (while baking for
that matter)..and if you get a "drop", "dabble" or "HINT"
of liquid in the mix, you are in for it. Your chocolate
is ruined. But you can make a sauce with it!, so much for
plated desserts! hehe.

*What I needed for my creation*
-Cake crumbs
-Tempered Chocolate (ready to use first)
-Buttercream
_Toppings!

*Create balls to place on top of almost set chocolate
molds!..Making sure they are nice and pact together, using
some icing for more sculpture of a "ball". Place on top of
molds and refrigerate for at least 10mins.

*Remove molds and using your piping bag (I used a #2 point round tip)..design your top for the cupcakes!..

*Add any decor that suits the mood, holiday, whatever you
think..

-I just wanted to make little character dudes. Honestly,
I just took whatever eyes I had and without looking, placed
them on whichever ones ..and they all cameout so cute with so much spunk and personality.

-As for my backround shots, I love love LOVE to create
scenes for my products. Whether it be, some great jewelry,
scrapbook paper, or photos in frames, etc..
And of course, great lighting is a must..and camera of
course! (I am working on that one, but think I have ex-
cellent lighting in my kitchen)..

So here they are!
enjoiiii..

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"