Hey gang!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t do a little catch up with some of the awesome blogger love I’ve been privvy to in the past few months.

I’ve gotta rewind a smidge.

At christmas, me, nicci, trinity, and heather got together for thai food…

Here are some photos:

IMG_0226 IMG_0230 IMG_0232 IMG_0233 IMG_0237 IMG_0239 IMG_0246 IMG_0248

After this event, heather handed me my bloggy secret santa gift, because… SURPRISE… it was her. haha. I got an AMAZING stash, check this out:

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I got a glass water bottle (my absolute favorite thing)

Pumpkin spice pancake/waffle mix

Blueberry TEA (I’m obsessed with tea)

and 2 packs of CRAZY socks (I’m wearing ones with pink and green stars right now. :D )

Thank you again, heather!!!

 

And cause no one EVER complains of too many pictures in a post, here are some of last weekend… Heather went back to new york, but nicci, trinity, kristen and I had a sushi making party!!! :D Check it!!

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All that to say, that I <3 my blogging friends, and I love the sense of community it brings. (In this case, literal community!)

 

Talk to you soon.

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Best Cupcakes EVER

July 29, 2008

so… Nicole, Mary, and I made cupcakes as mentioned in my previous post…

They were smores cupcakes as designed by Chockylit @ www.cupcakeblog.com

Here are the pictures:

  • I did not follow chockylit’s recipe for ganache as notated on her site, I used the recipe that I posted here….
  • For that chocolate frosting recipe, I used significantly more whipping cream than called for once all the ingredients were combined to whip the frosting, and make it more manageable.
  • my eggs and butter were at room temperature.
  • I used salted butter for the graham crust, and the frosting, but unsalted for the cupcake batter.
  • I needed the big thing of marshmallow fluff to get it all done.
  • I baked mine in silicone baking cups, and the baking time was EXACTLY 19 minutes…
  • __________________________________
    repost of recipe:
    S’mores Cupcakes!

    Graham Cracker Cupcakes
    15 regular cupcakes / 350 degree oven

    1 cup graham cracker crumbs, from 6 whole graham crackers
    1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
    1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
    3/4 cup light brown sugar
    2 large eggs, room temperature
    1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
    1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs, from 2-1/2 whole graham crackers
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    1/8 teaspoon salt
    2/3 cup milk
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    Marshmallow Fluff
    Large marshmallows (for topping)

    1. Combine 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
    2. Scoop a heaping teaspoon into each cupcake paper, pressing down to cover the bottom.
    3. Beat butter on high speed until soft, about 30 seconds.
    4. Add brown sugar. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
    5. Add eggs one at a time, beat for 30 seconds after each.
    6. Whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
    7. Measure out milk and vanilla together.
    8. Add about a fourth of the flour to the butter/sugar mixture and beat to combine.
    9. Add about one third the milk/vanilla mixture and beat until combined.
    10. Repeat above, alternating flour and milk and ending with the flour mixture.
    11. Scoop into cupcake papers three-quarters full.
    12. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

    (for the chocolate frosting, I’m going with this recipe: FoodNetwork
    3 cups confectioners’ sugar
    3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
    1 stick butter, softened
    3 – 4 tablespoons heavy cream
    1 teaspoon vanilla

    Sift sugar and cocoa together into a large bowl. In another bowl combine 1 cup of sugar mixture with butter and 1 tablespoon cream, beating until smooth. Add another cup of sugar and another tablespoon of cream, beating well. Continue until all ingredients are combined and frosting is fluffy. Beat in vanilla.

    Assembly: marshmallow fluff

    1. Using a small pairing knife, cut off the top of the cupcake in the shape of a cone. Flip the top over and cut off the cone.
    2. Fill the cavity with fluff.
    3. Replace the top of the cone.
    4. Scoop a tablespoon of ganache on top of each cupcake. Smooth with a small offset spatula. (I dip the spatula in hot water, wipe off, then smooth.)
    5. Top with a marshmallow and toast with a culinary torch.

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