Ginger Cupcakes with Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting

This week's recipe came from Fine Cooking's "Sweet Cakes" magazine, link to recipe here.

I'm usually not a big fan of Ginger but we were having a few friends over for dinner, including Naomi and David who you may remember from our hike back in August. Naomi celebrated her birthday while we were gone in Switzerland and she loves her ginger so I figured that I would try and make it up to her with food (always a good start.) and try something new for myself.

I have to say, I am really pleased with how they turned out. Everyone said they liked them and Naomi and David even took some home. With the extra frosting as Naomi pointed out I didn't put enough on there. 

In my defense, I grew up in a family that prefers pie to cake, and doesn't love frosting. I know, where did you come from then, right? I think they found me under a rock and I'm sure any one of my brothers would happily confirm that for you.

The recipe was a bit daunting by looks, but not to bad once it got underway.

The batter was interesting with just butter and lemon zest, but it was a leap of faith that turned out well. If you think the coutertop looks cramped, that's because it is.

Once all the ingredients were mixed it made a surprisingly small amount of batter. The recipe says it yields 36, but as always I cam out ahead with somewhere around 44.

Bretta always likes to "oversee" my projects.

 

Big thanks to everyone for coming over to enjoy our back patio before the rains started!

PS: Naomi makes awesome upcycled paper bead jewelry, check her out on Etsy here

Tools I'm loving and using all.the.time!

With this project brings a whole lot of work in the kitchen. I am forever grateful to the following items in my kitchen arsenal:
Queen Helen: My Kitchen-Aid Mixer in "Empire Red" that my Mom got me for my last birthday. Love her!

Please ignore the rolls, my Poison Ivy bodysuit was a size too small!

If you do a lot of baking and don't have an electric mixer, put it at the top of your wishlist,  they are amazing!
A slew of Pampered Chef items, of course. Since I am a Pampered Chef consultant I am always looking for new ways to use the products:

 Not the least of all my prep bowl set:

 

This whisk rocks my world. I'm ordering a second and considering a third:

A mixing bowl with a pour spout and a lid. Genius:

Easy read measuring cups that you can leave on the counter while you pour and still see what your measurement is:

My Mix 'n Scraper get's all of the cupcake batter out of the bowl:

I just got these sweet cupcake baking cups from Wilton:

I'm looking forward to using them with my carrot cupcakes.

The sweet smell of success and muffins

Today I decided that I was going to create my own blog header so that I could spiff up the blog a bit. Since Mr. T is the computer genius in this house I figured he would know exactly which program to use and how to start it out. Mr. T explained that Adobe was not the best program for creating an image from multiple images and to use Paint. Now I am convinced that he just didn't want to have to explain the different aspects of Adobe to me. After 20 painful minutes trying to keep the resolution while resizing pictures I gave up on paint and went to Adobe. An hour later I have made the header that you now see above just by layering. Pretty good for someone that didn't even know what the hell layering was an hour ago right?

This week's cupcake deliciousness is actually muffins. I know that you may be thinking that I'm cheating but I really don't care. I found this recipe on one of my favorite random recipe sites, www.allrecipes.com
The description said "very moist and delicious" so I figured that I had to give them a shot. Link to recipe here

Batter mixed by Queen Helen

I used the recipe as is, according to the site it yields 12 muffins. I ended up with 18. The recipe also directs you to bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes but in my oven they were done in less than 15. Just keep an eye on them if you do try this recipe.

The final result

They are a little stickier than I would like because of the lemon/sugar glaze but the taste is perfect. I may try them without the glaze next time but as is they are just fine. 

We are enjoying the sunshine today by adding lights to the back deck and taking care of the plants. Between all the hard work Bretta somehow fit in some tanning time.

I'm going to be honest

As I was belting out "Don't Stop Believin'" yesterday on my ride home, and hitting every note mind you, I realized that I must look absolutely hilarious to every other driver. I'm glad I can be someone's entertainment. But you know what? I really think I can hit just about every note that Steve Perry does in that song. I don't know how good I sound because the stereo volume always drowns out my own, but I feel pretty good about hitting the notes at least. Maybe I should take voice lessons and try a new career in karaoke....

Second week of deliciousness: Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes

For this week's challenge I chose a trial run of one of my Easter dessert possibilities. I got the recipe here: http://alaunamakes.blogspot.com/2009/03/lemon-raspberry-cupcakes.html
The recipe doesn't say, but it makes 36 cupcakes. I hope you are either a mother or have an army to feed if you plan on trying this. I had Mr. T take about 20 to work. Another 4 we pawned off on my in-laws and I plan to pawn another 4 or 5 off on my boss.
As far as I can tell the biggest glaring difference so far is my ability to make my cupcakes look really pretty. But I'm working on it. So far I've found that the cheapy baby formula bottle liner-esque confectioner's bags work as well as you'd guess, and that a Ziploc Freezer Bag (pint size) with a corner cut out is going to be the sturdiest butter cream piping bag that you've got in your kitchen. Both the sandwich bag and the bottle liner look-a-like bag exploded.

Lemony delicious batter

Butter Cream Icing- need I say more?

Pre cone cut-outs

Finished product

  My recommendations: Make this recipe when raspberries are in season. There's nothing like spending $7 on a box of raspberries (maybe 24 count?) and having half be inedible. 

  So far my reviewers haven't been very helpful. They gave these cupcakes an A+. As opposed to the "these are the best cupcakes I've ever eaten" that the Irish Car Bomb cupcakes have gotten. Luckily for me I have recently expanded my reviewer base and will now be pulling in taste testers from around the country once a month for a more rounded review. Bon appetit!

Spring has sprung and we couldn't resist a Bunny Bretta for less than the price of a gallon of gas.

I can't believe I haven't mentioned her yet...

Last month another nestie posted about a blog that we "had" to read. I figured I'd check it out but didn't know that I would come to read this blog every day religiously, and go back and read old posts. If you haven't already looked at this blog DO IT! The blog I'm talking about is the now famous Enjoying The Small Things
Kelle is an amazing story teller, and from all appearances a fabulous photographer. In a world where everyone starts a blog (hello- me, for example) about their every day lives, her's stands out. I can't even begin to relate to this woman, yet I am following her posts every day and talking to anyone that will listen about this blog. I can't wait to see what else happens in her life.
Oh, and for those of you that didn't see the CNN interview, here's the link: http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/connect.the.world/

52 Weeks of Deliciousness

So after the success of last weeks cupcakes I've decided that I will make one new type of cupcakes each week for the next 52 weeks. And then blog about it. This weeks challenge: Lemon Raspberry cupcakes.
Bon Appetit!

Celebrating St. Patrick with Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

Don't mind the horrid lighting.
I made these for Mr. T and I's offices this week. Delicious! One piece of advice- don't think you're being smart by making the frosting first. It hardens and is a bitch to decorate with. And the sprinkles don't stick that way.
Also, if you want to cut some of the sweetness in the icing use half Baileys and half milk. (shown above)
xoxo
You can find the recipe here: http://www.chewonthatblog.com/2009/02/25/irish-car-bomb-cupcakes/

First batch without milk in frosting

Our little "Irish" Bulldog (her name is Gaelic): Exhausted from the festivities

Switzerland days 1-7

So I finally figured I would give a little synopsis of our unbelievably amazing vacation in Switzerland.

First lets make sure we all know where Switzerland is, as a few college graduates I know did not when I mentioned the vacation. (And I swear I did not give a sarcastic answer or treat them like they were lesser because of their lack of geographical knowledge. It was a struggle, but I did it.)

I got the map from: http://www.sitesatlas.com/Maps/Maps/527.htm

Okay, now that we have all brushed up on our geography, I will continue.
We flew into Geneva on February 19 and it was foggy and raining. Mr. T had an itinerary for our day in Geneva but had forgotten it at home. We walked around a bit there, exploring and getting soaking wet, before we decided that we were both exhausted and anxious to get to Mr. T's Grandparents' in Neuchatel. We arrived in Neuchatel in mid-afternoon and I knew I was going to love it. It sits on lake Neuchatel and has beautiful views of the mountains all around it, and great old architecture. For example:

 Beyond the dark strip on the opposite side of the lake are Les Alps but it wasn't clear when I took this picture so you can't see them.

The looks on the Grandparents' faces were priceless when they saw Mr. T. Clearly they love him as much as I do. The next two days we explored Neuchatel and ate some absolutely fabulous cheese and bread. And crepes. And chocolate. And apple pastries.
Our first adventure, and my first trip to a castle, was to Chateau de Chillon which could be the best views in Western Switzerland:

What a cool place to visit! Each room had explanations of what it was used for, historical info on the castle, and some were set up as they would have been around 500 years ago.

We also enjoyed our first Panache of the trip across the road in a small restaurant

For our second adventure we headed to the small town of Jegenstorf to stay with Mr. T's Aunt and cousin and to explore Bern! Jegenstorf is a little farming town with lots of nice old houses, farms, and 3 of our favorite Swiss people (can't forget Marcus). The snow was mostly melted and the first flowers of spring were just starting to pop out of the ground- such a fun thing to see! We had great food with more of the Swiss-German influence and great conversations. I finally found someone in Mr. T's family that is willing to discuss politics!

Chateau in Jegenstorf

Bern is a very cool city. People are very nice and understanding when you don't speak German (Mr. T speaks fluent French but no German and I'm not fluent in either.) It would be a nice place to spend a few days and do some serious shopping.

Some nice Russian via Philadelphia tourists took this picture for us

The highlight of the sightseeing was definitely the fountain with a statue of a man eating children. Yes, there's a story with it:

I will post more later, the computer is going ridiculously slow and I'm anxious to spend some time with Mr. T since we haven't seen each other for the last two days.

Going to ease back in....

We have returned! Our Swiss trip was absolutely amazing and I plan on blogging with pictures over the next few days, but since it's quite a daunting task I thought I would copy a list I got from Mrs. A
99 Things I should do or have done


Instructions:Copy the list, bold the ones you've done (with explanations if needed), share with friends.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen the Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater 
55. Been in a movie- home movies count right? lol
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check- and now I'm in the financial industry!
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial and I love it!
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper 
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve - This one may be difficult to accomplish now that I'm married...
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous 
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

40/99- getting there!