Nousins...

Nousins= Nephew/Niece Cousins, this is what I call my 1st cousins kids. They are the closest thing to a Nephew and a Niece I have in my life. They call me Tickle and I like that. So for each of their birthdays I put the mixer into high gear and try to give them something they would love. Now, I have to say for the little ladies 1st birthday I was so excited to get to do something so girly and fun! And I learned a few things in the process:
1. The Giant Cupcake pan takes forever to bake and the cake comes out pretty dense.
2. Covering the bottom in Candy clay instead of Fondant (I hate Fondant) was perfect.
3. Simple often turns out cuter than elaborate.
4. Ms. little lady is much better at cake demolition than her older brother was on his 1st birthday!
5. It doesn't matter how much sleep I lose trying to make their cakes perfect, I love my Nousins!

Stay tuned, Big brother is turning 3 in January and I'm determined to make the coolest cake/cupcakes ever!

Get the Campfire Burnin!

For the past few years a group of our dear friends have gotten together to go camping. We sing songs, talk about life and eat way too many S'mores! This weekend is camping weekend! So in honor of the festivities I thought I would leave you with a treat: S'more Cupcakes. Graham cake with Milk Chocolate Ganache and Toasted Marshmallow fluff. Best if eaten warm! I hope you have a great weekend...Soon I'm thinking about posting a few recipes, maybe even some non-cupcake related. Much Love!

Peanutbutter Engagement

This Fall one of my dearest friends, got engaged and her sneaky Fiance let us help surprise her! My sisters and I got to keep her busy while he decorated her house and prepared to ask her to be his wifey. I haven't been this excited for a couple to wed in a long time, they bring out the best in each other and cause each other to want to know Jesus more. Ms. C is a so full of life and fun, you can't help but be in a good mood around her. And Mr. P is charming, laid back and willing to have a good time where ever he is. Both of these people are dear to my heart because they have purposed themselves to seek the Lord above all else and are intending for their marriage to image Christ's love for his people. I am Blessed get to see a tiny bit of this!
On to the cake! Ms. C is in love with rich desserts, and would eat PB Cup Cupcakes if I made them every day (i Think). So in the excitement of Mr. P's request for Ms. C's hand in marriage a Peanutbutter Chocolate cake was in order. Chocolate cake filled with Peanutbutter Fudge and covered in Rich Chocolate Ganache. After the engagement we (the Meeker Gals) arrived at the door with cake in hand, singing, "Going to the Chapel." It was so fun! Can't wait till the Bridal Showers, oh the cupcakes we will have!

California Cupcake!

I have never been to Cali. but I hope to remedy this in the near future. My friend Sarah and her husband Matt just moved out to Pasadena and I miss them a lot. However, it's given me a good excuse to find out what Pasadena has to offer in the way of cupcakes, so I know where to spend my time when I arrive for my visit! I sent Sarah and Matt on a mission to find out about Dots Cupcakes and here is Sarah's review:

"Checked out that cupcake place you sent me to. I love that you sent me on a “mission.”

Anyway, it was small and cute and a little oriental woman took Matt and my order. We asked her which ones were the best and she said the red velvet is a favorite and then some others. I got a red velvet and Matt got something like a chocolate peanut butter cup thing. They were both very good! Moist and very tasteful. I’d go back.

Also, as we were leaving several different types of people went into the store.

4 out of 5 stars. (5 if it had been your store)

-Sarah"

So there you go, Good Cupcakes in Pasadena, spread the word. And thanks Sarah for the review!

Cupcakes and a movie

Don't you wish they served cupcakes at the movies? I know I do! Next time you have friends over to host a movie night serve up some of these Salty Popcorn Cupcakes! My oldest sister loves salty and sweet. Every time we go to the movies she gets a bag of popcorn and dumps a bag of M&M's on top. And I have to admit, it tastes so good! So this cupcake is inspired by her for her. Sweet caramel cake with milk chocolate ganache frosting then topped with salty popcorn. Try adding some popcorn to your favorite cupcakes for a nice surprise. Just make sure you serve them pretty quick so the popcorn doesn't get stale.

Flavors! Flavors!

One of my favorite pies is from Furr's Cafeteria: Millionaire Pie! When I was younger I couldn't even begin to tell you what was actually in it, all I knew is that the custard was so sweet it crunched in your teeth and the crust was buttery delicious and to top it all off the whipped cream had a secret concoction of pineapples, nuts and we sometimes thought coconut. So in honor of this great desert, I finally got around to making a Millionaire Cupcake: Butter cake filled with custard and topped with pineapple nut cream. Folks around here are hesitant to try it but love it once they do!
Also on the menu today: Strawberry Margarita, it's got real Margarita in the cake and the frosting and of course rimmed in pink sugar. These were for a Bridal shower, I'm sure they had one great fiesta!

2fer

Today you get two creations to think on. The connecting factors are that they both were taken to church activities and made out of whatever I happened to have in my kitchen. A little of this, a little of that, you know how it goes. The first is a Banana Choffee (yes I think I just made that word up) Cupcake. It's a soft Banana cake with mini, semi-sweet chocolate chips and toffee bits, topped off with smooth cream cheese, a drizzle of chocolate and sprinkle of toffee. If you want a rich banana cake this one is for you! Next up, Pumpkin Roll Crunch....All the rain over the weekend made us Texans seek the great indoors and gave me a chance to do some clean out the pantry baking. There are two things you should know about me and Pumpkin rolls:
1. This was my first attempt! I've been too scared to make them, but I had nowhere I had to be and pumpkin and eggs that needed to be used.
2. I love them so much, that I was once given one for Christmas.
A traditional Pumpkin Roll is laid out on powdered sugar right after it's baked so it doesn't stick to your towel when you roll it, but I wanted to try something with a little texture so I baked up some pecan streusel topping to replace the sugar. It turned out pretty good for my first attempt. I only had 4oz of cream cheese and 1 stick of butter so to make enough filling I also added about 1/2 cup of whipped cream. It gave the filling a light airy taste. I wish I would've taken a picture of it sliced, it looked so pretty! I think it went over pretty well with the church folk. Now that I've figure out how to roll cake, watch out My head is spinnin' with ideas!