Round Three

Addy's birthday is a week from today and I feel pretty confident in making her cupcakes after last week's experiments.  Here are last week's cupcakes.

Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting

I followed this recipe to the "t" and they came out okay.  The recipe called for cake flour and I don't think I would use the cake flour again.  It completely changes the texture of the cupcakes.  And these also needed more food coloring to actually be red...or maybe use the beets?  The frosting was absolutely yummy!  I was also proud of myself for piping the frosting and making it look pretty.  Can you tell the cupcake on the left was with the wrong attachment?  :-)  By piping it also puts more frosting on the cupcakes, which is always a good thing.

Now the cupcake a lot of people were talking about:

Maple Bacon with Maple Frosting

I personally loved these.  Next time I am going to make sure to cook them a shorter amount of time (they were a little dry) or try adding something like apple sauce or sour cream to make it a little more moist.  Otherwise, the frosting was delicious and the the cupcakes had a great flavor.  They are definitely more savory with a little sweet though. 

So, I think I am done experimenting for Addy's party.  Now the fun part starts, actually making the cupcakes for Addy's party!!  Can't wait to celebrate my baby girl's one year birthday!!

Present

One of the blogs I read has been about being present when you are with your family.  It really hit home with me because I have found myself distracted lately when I am spending time with Addy and Tim.  I am either on the computer, watching TV, or playing with my phone.  So, I have really challenged myself to be more present when I am with those I love. 

Thankfully, I was truly present when Addy discovered blackberries for her first time.

 

When Addy discovered my wallet and all of the exciting things it holds.

 

Since I wasn't on the computer, Addy decided to take it over.

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

I had a couple of requests to post the recipe I used for the Salted Caramel Cupcakes, so here it is!  This recipe is from Cupcakes by Shelly Kaldunski and these cupcakes are delish!

Cupcake Ingredients:
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 c. firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c. whole milk (I used what I had, low-fat, and it worked just fine)
12 caramel candies (I don't like these candies, so I didn't buy them, but they are supposed to go on top as garnish)
Sea Salt
Caramel Swirl Buttercream Frosting

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees & line a 12 cup muffin tin with liners.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, & salt. In another bowl, using an electric mixer on med-high speed, beat the sugars and butter together until combined.  Add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk in 2 additions, beating on low speed until just combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.  Let cool on a rack for at least 5 minutes, then spread on the Caramel Swirl Buttercream Frosting on top and sprinkle with sea salt.  I also had leftover caramel, so I drizzled that on top as well.

Caramel  Swirl Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
Pinch of salt
1/2 c. butter
3 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 tbsp. whole milk

In a heavy bottomed pan, cook the sugar over medium-high heat until it begins to melt around the edges (about 5 minutes) stirring with a clean wooden spoon until the sugar has all turned a golden amber.
Carefully pour the cream down the side of the pan in a slow, steady stream (it will bubble), stirring constantly until completely smooth. Stir in the salt. Pour the caramel into a heat-proof bowl and allow to cool.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together with 3 tbsp milk.  Add more milk if needed to create a creamy, smooth, frosting.  Fold in the cooled caramel.

Enjoy!

Rub a dub dub...

Addy's now taking baths in the big bathtub!

Starbucks

On Thursday I got home from work fairly early and really wanted to go for a walk and to get some coffee.  I convinced Tim & Addy to go along and we all bundled up (seriously, it was like 54 degrees outside) and headed out.  It was a beautiful walk and Starbucks was a nice little treat.  From the moment I got my drink, however, Addy was eyeing my cup. I should have taken a cue from my friend, Lauren, and asked for some extra cups like she did here for Addy's BFF, Micah. 
When we got home, I sat down on the floor to play with Love Bug and she decided to try and grab my cup. After I was done, I let Addy grab the cup and she had a great time....

playing and chewing on the lid...

Imitating Mommy & "drinking"....

and entertaining herself for a good 20 minutes & lookin' adorable while doing it.

Thank you Starbucks, not only for the beverage, but also for entertaining my daughter!

Jake Visits!

My cousin, Jake, is in the Marine Corps and is currently stationed in North Carolina.  Lucky for us (and for him too I think..avoiding weather), he was asked to come to a conference in San Diego this week.  Last weekend, we all got together to catch up with Jake and visit with each other.  Of course, it was also an excuse for me to use my camera. :-)

Addy loves any excuse to play with her cousins.

 Tay-Tay is too cute

 And Maddie is getting to be such a little girl!!

 I tried to get a good picture with Auntie Alison, but Love Bug has learned how to avoid the camera.

 Father & Daughter

 Father & Son (Jake, our guest of honor!)

 My beautiful sister

 Cousins!! (I love this picture!)

 Father & Son

 Uncle Buddy being a ham...what is new? :-)

 Mema, Pepa, & Maddie

 Boys

 Grandma & Mandy

 Even I got in front of the camera!!

Thank you, Cyndy & Josh for hosting us!! 

Round Two

Last weekend, I was yet again a cupcake-making machine.  While it does take some time, I have really enjoyed making these cupcakes.  Good thing Addy is having a birthday so I have an excuse to exercise my baking creativity. :-)

First batch: Salted Caramel Cupcakes
This cupcakes took me out of my comfort zone on several levels.  First, I had never made caramel before on my own.  Thank goodness I had my littlest sister, Mandy, here to help.  She's made caramel before, although she was severely burned in the process.  Mandy was ready to redeem herself and I needed some help. Together, we were a good team and made some really delicious caramel.  Second, I had never made my own frosting and for this recipe, I had to make caramel frosting.  Overall, a super easy process that sounds more daunting than it actually is.

These are best cupcakes I have made...absolutely delicious and they will most definitely be on the menu for Addy's party. I need to figure out how to gracefully put the caramel on top and make it pretty, but that is all I really need to change.  I also have discovered cupcakes are better the day after you make them...when the frosting has stiffened and the cupcakes have firmed. 

Second batch: Sour Cream Chocolate Cupcake with Peanut Butter Frosting, some with caramel filling
This was my own creation.  I took several recipes and made them my own. There was some left over caramel from the Salted Caramel, so I used it to fill some of these with caramel.

These were kind of like this picture...lacking color.  The cupcake was not chocolatey enough and the frosting was too wet.  The caramel didn't really add much to the cupcake, so I am not sure I would try it again in the chocolate cupcake.  The wrappers were also crummy, which didn't help the situation.  I am definitely going to stick with the Reynolds foil wrappers, they are big and non-stick.

I know this cupcake adventure is thrilling, but it is good for me to write it all down. :-)  Then I can remember my first opinions and not a glorified version of the story.  :-)