Red Velvet Cupcakes

In my last post I had told you that a dear friend's birthday was coming up and she wanted red velvet for her cake.  This weekend was the first trial run of a recipe.  I thought I would start with a recipe from someone whom I believe is the epitome of Southern cooking.... Paula Deen.  I did not have to look very far on her website to find a recipe.  This is the one I used..... http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/red_velvet_cupcakes_with_cream_cheese_frosting/ .  I found it to be a very easy recipe.  I would honestly recommend it to anyone who is an amateur baker.  There is a few more things about it, but I will get to them in a minute because I know all of you want to see the cupcakes.  I know it is the only reason anyone reads my blog is to look at all the pretty pictures.  It's ok.  I don't blame you.  I love looking at things I wish I could eat too.  So, no more stalling.....

YUMMY!

Well, what do you think?  I know looks great and it was good too.

Ok, now onto some of the other stuff about the cake.  I will be honest I have no idea what a red velvet cake should taste like.  I have had it before, but I will admit I thought it was a bit dry.  These cupcakes to me just tasted like any cake.  It did not have any real distinct flavor to it.  The birthday girl tried and thought they were ok.  They were good, but not what she was looking for.  After some discussion, this version is not exactly what she is looking for in the cake.  So, it is back to oven for me.  I have a recipe from one of my favorite websites... AllRecipes.com.  There is a few tweaks that I will need to make, but I think it will work.  Of course, I will let you know all about it when I make them.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!!!

Monster Cookies and More Microphone Cupcakes

This week I got to two orders.  One was for microphone cupcakes and the second was for Monster Cookies.  I won't go into much about the cupcakes since I have already had two post about them.  In case you want too here are the links to those posts.... http://sweettreatsandmore-colleen.blogspot.com/2011/01/microphone-cupcakes-and-other-things.html and the other http://sweettreatsandmore-colleen.blogspot.com/2011/03/microphone-cupcakes.html .  I didn't do anything different from the other time I made them.  The only difference was the cake that was used.  The request this time was for a yellow/chocolate cake. Because of being cupcake I was unable to do a true marble cake.  I had to just layer them.

I think it work out good.  I do have some left over batter and plan on making a marble cake with it.  I'll show it to you after I make it.

The other thing I made for this weekend was Monster Cookies.  Some may be saying.. "What are those?"  Well, I'll tell you.  They are a little bit of everything.  They are chocolate chip, peanut butter and oatmeal cookies combined.  The main added thing is mini candy coated chocolates..( psst that is a fancy way of saying M&Ms).  You could add anything else you you wanted like raisins or nuts.  This time I added pecans.  They are definitely a cookie that would cover what ever you had a taste for.

They description I was given by the customer, "They are da bomb!"

I will be doing baking for myself this upcoming week.  First I am going to try the marble cake for myself.  Then also this will be my last week working overnights.  So, I thought I would be very nice to my fellow co-workers and bake them something nice.  Just need to come up with something.

Until next time........ Happy Baking!

Updates

I have recently had a few things happen in my life that has kept we away from doing two of my favorite things..... baking and blogging.  I THINK my life has settled down a bit...well as much as it can being the mother of a three year old, a wife, and a part-time employee at major retailer.  I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but I did let it get the better of me for a bit.

I did have two things happen in my baking world since last time.  I made cupcakes for a teenagers birthday this past weekend and I have an order for a graduation cake in June.

The cupcakes were a big hit.  The only down side was there wasn't enough.  The mom didn't expect as many as she did, so 2 dozen cupcakes went really fast.  Here is the final result:

They were half and half..yellow and chocolate with buttercream icing.

The graduation cake will be a red velvet cake and will be shaped like the front page of a newspaper.  I am going to decorated it with a graduation cap and the school mascot.  I plan on making them out of chocolate, so they will be edible.  I will post pictures of the completed product.

I will also have my daughter's birthday cake to do at the end of the month.  This year I need to be a little more creative.  She picked Clubhouse Mickey as her theme.  There is only one Mickey Mouse shaped cake pan that I could find and as cute as it is I want more for her.  So, I will need to brainstorm and out sketch out a few things.  I am a little worried I won't come up with something, but I can just here my friends all saying...."You know will think of something and it will be great."  I just hope so.  I am open to suggestions.

Last thing is this.  I was thinking of doing a little more with the blog itself.  It of course will still be baking and my baking adventures, but I was thinking of expanding it and possibly talking other things too.  Such as tips and links to other things I find on the web.  What do you think?  Please be honest with me and tell me I am insane.  Don't worry I can handle it.... I think.

Well, until next time....... Happy Baking!

Microphone Cupcakes

Over the last few weeks I have been seeing an increase of people finding my blog because of the microphone cupcakes I made.  Most of the people searching were looking for how to make them, so I was thinking I would make a quick post on how I actually made them.

Some of you may remember back in January I made microphone cupcakes for a 5 years old Justin Bieber themed birthday party.  Even though they were used for a children's party they could really be used for any music themed party.

Here is what I did:
     First, use your favorite cake (it can be from a box,I promise I won't tell) and just follow in the directions to make cupcakes.
     Second, you can make your own frosting or use one from the can.  Which ever you use might I suggest that you do not use a whipped frosting because you need a frosting that will harden a bit to hold the sprinkles on.  If you make you own, you of course can tinted it any color you want.  If you use the frosting from a can you have two options.  One, if you plan on using chocolate sprinkles and don't want to tint the frosting, you can use plain chocolate frosting.  But, if you are a little adventurous and want some color then use vanilla frosting and tint it any color you want.
     After the cupcakes cool, it is time for assembly.  This is where I learned a bit from trial and error.  So, hopefully by me telling you my mistakes it will help you not make them.  My biggest issue was finding a way to store and transport them.  Lucky for me I have a husband who is handy with wood and he made me a wooden box type thing to help me carry the cupcakes.  Hopefully, you won't be needing to take them anywhere and don't need anything like that.  So, if you just need to store them until party time, might I suggest cutting holes in a cake board, picture what vendors use to carry around the cotton candy at places.
     Ok, for the actually assembly of the microphones, I use plain old sugar wafer ice cream cones.  I happened to use the multi-colored ones, but of course you can use just the plain ones.  First thing I did was put some M & Ms in the bottom of each cone.  This helps with the balance of the cone since the finished product will be top-heavy.  You could use whatever candy you like.  I think it also gives an extra little treat.
     First, you need to put a little frosting on the inside of the cone to help hold the cupcake in place.  Place the cupcake in the cone and then finish frosting.  You want to make sure the cupcake is covered, but not too much.  After they are frosted, I just poured the sprinkles over the cone letting the sprinkles just stick to the frosting.  I happened to do each cone from beginning to end, you may choose to do it like an assembly line that is completely up to you.

    In the end your result should resemble this:

I hope this helps some of you out there in making your own microphone cupcakes.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

Microphone Cupcakes and Other Things

I feel like I am always apologizing for not posting a blog.  So, again I am sorry.  I just have been really busy working a job in retail and of course the holidays.  I hoping now that things are calming down at work, I should be able to get back into blogging and baking.  I did do a little bit of baking over the holidays and I will tell you all about them.

First, I made my PB and J snack bar for my Christmas holiday party.  They were well received by everyone.  I did have few that were disappointed that I didn't make my angel food cupcakes again, but they got over it.

This year I didn't have as many "gift" baskets to make this year with different things in them.  So, this year I only made about 6 dozen chocolate chip cookies and gave them to a few people.  But, because of them I will be making a birthday cake for a little boy next month.  I don't know what yet, we haven't worked out the details yet.  I also sent a dozen cookies to a dear friend in the Netherlands, unfortunately because of a bad winter storm here in the States and few storms that had parts of Europe shut down, after almost  two weeks she still doesn't have her cookies.  I just hope they are still edible by the time she gets them.

Lastly, I got to make some microphone cupcakes for a little 5 year girl who was having a Justin Bieber theme party.  She asked specifically for my strawberry margarita cake because it was "SOOOOOO good and it was Pink!"

There are not to hard to make.  It is just any cupcake you want to use, some icing and sprinkles.  As I already said the cake was strawberry margarita, the icing was butter cream tinted black, chocolate sprinkles and then sugar ice cream cones.  The hard part was trying to figure a way to get them to the party without incident.  It took some time, but with few of my ideas and my husband's ideas, we were able to come up with something and it worked out perfectly.

I'll let you know as things come up.

Until next time........ Happy Baking!

My Latest Creation

This past weekend was a friend of mine son's birthday.  She asked me to make the cupcakes for his party.  I, of course said yes.  The request was for a white cake and Iron Man theme.  This was my first time making a white cake from scratch.  I think I did pretty well.  I was also asked to make a icing that was not as sweet, so I went with a cream cheese icing.  I was able to find both Iron Man paper cups and cupcake picks.  I decided to have two different color icings.  One was red and the other was golden yellow.  Here is the final result.......

Everyone was happy with how they looked and tasted. (Hopefully, I'll be able to do her daughter's birthday cake next month.... hint hint)

This weekend I have several things going on.  I have Mom's Night, Breakfast with Santa and a work holiday feast.  I have decided to make a strawberry margarita cake and apple enchiladas for the Mom's night.  I am making a quiche for the breakfast.  And lastly the work holiday is still up in the air.  I have a few ideas, just not sure which to do yet.  I'll let you know when I do.

Until next time..... Happy Baking!

Sorry for being Away

I know I know.  Before any says anything, I know it has been awhile since my last post and for that I am sorry.  Many things have changed in my life.  First I was sick for a bit, which was not fun at all.  then second to earn a little extra money for the holidays, I started a new job.  I work a retail chain and I am in to work at 4 am.  So, to say the least it has been an adjustment.  But, with that said I new have a few things happening in the very near future.

The first thing is on Monday I am having my work Thanksgiving party.  I wanted to try something new, but husband kept saying I shouldn't.  So, after explaining to me a few times I should do something I am good at, I decided on making Angel Food Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Mousse.  Something a little extra I was planning on putting mini-chocolate chips on them, but alas that won't happen. (Silly me forgot to buy the chips)  But, as I sit here and write this, a new idea just came to me.  I may not have mini-chips, but can have chocolate shavings.  Man, I love how my brain works at times. (I know a little egoistical, sorry sue me)

Second thing....I think is really big news.....ok wait for it...... I got my first order!   YAY!  Think I am excited?  I don't think so.  Well anyway, I received an email about a week ago after a woman saw my flyer at my daughter's school.  She is a member of the church that the preschool is associated with.  After a few emails, she decided to order a few things for Thanksgiving.  So, I will be a little busy baking all this week.  I will let you know how everything turned out and pictures.

Until next time....... Happy Baking!

New Idea

With not having any baking projects to do this week, I have had a lot of time to brainstorm. I had gotten this idea a little while ago when I was thinking of a way to send a friend his favorite dessert, a red velvet cake. Of course, the easiest would be to go there and just make it, but doubt people would want to pay the price to fly me there just to bake a cake. So, thr first thing I thought was it would be easier to sent cupcakes instead of a whole cake. My next problem was the frosting. To me the frosting is just as important as the cake. I would like it to be just as pretty when they get as it was sitting in my kitchen. But, anyone who has shipped anything, there are no guarantees. My initial solution was to use a stiffer frosting, one the would get hard but still be ok to eat. I still didn't like that idea. I have received too many complements on my frosting to change it. I didn't actively think about it for a few weeks, but it was always in the back of my mind. Then just the other night, I was talking with my husband about what I needed to do this weekend and he mentioned cupcakes. He then asked if I had thought of shipping them. I told him I had, but had my concerns. Then we both almost came up with the same idea of Create Your Own Cupcakes.

The idea is simple. You choose everything that you want from the kind of cake to the toppings. You would have the same variety in the cakes and frosting as you would if you were a local order. The topping could be seasonal or just everyday things. I would bake the cupcakes and make the frosting. All the items would be shipped together, but separate. After you received the package all you would need to do it decorate how you want. I know you mightbe thinking, "What is the point?". The point would be several things. You may not have the time to do everything, but the the time to decorate. Or it could be a family fun thing. Or it could event be a thing to do with a group if kids as a fun art project. I think the list could go on. Please tell me I am not crazy.

Until next time....... Happy Baking!

A little bit of a slow time

Not much has happened for me since my last posting.  I have been spending most of my time surfing the internet looking for the right Red Velvet Cake recipe for the cakewalk next weekend.  I finally found one with a cream cheese frosting.  I was actually surprised most of the recipes called for a cooked frosting similar to butter cream.  But, I have been told by many the a red velvet should have a cream cheese so that is what I went with.  I can't wait to make a whole cake this time.  Up until now I have only made cupcakes.

Yesterday, I did make another carmel apple trifle, but this time I made a few adjustments to fit my family's personal taste.  I used a smaller box of vanilla pudding, used 2 cans of apples instead one, and used a homemade angel food cake instead of ladyfingers.  It was a bigger hit than the last one.  But, the one thing it did do was leave me with a bunch of egg yolks.  I had no idea what to do with them.  I know it isn't that big of a deal to throw them away, but since I know I will be making another angel food for next weekend, I figured I need to find something to with at least some of those egg yolks.  The only thing I came up with so far was Creme Brulee.  If any of you have any suggestions and it doesn't have to be a baked good either, please let me know.  I am willing to try anything.  I am almost positive that I will try my hand at the creme brulee.  That should be fun.

Lastly, I would like to thank a very dear dear friend of mine, S.  She designed two business cards for me and I think they look absolutely fabulous.  I am hoping this weekend to get to a office supply store and get some business card paper and get some printed up.  Once I get them printed up I will show all of you.  Again S, thank you so much.  I think you deserve some chocolate meringue cookies as payment.

Until next time..... Happy Baking!

Caught up a bit

I was able to catch up with myself a bit today.

First thing, I made some adjustments on the flier and I think I have something that will work.  Keep in mind it will be in color, I just didn't want to waste the color until I knew I had the right thing.

What do you think?

I also believe I have come up with a price list.  I bounced a few ideas off of few friends and we came up with the same idea.  Cookies will be $12 a dozen.  Pies should be $12 to $15 depending on the pie.  Cupcakes will be $24 a dozen.  Cakes will start at $20.  Cakes cannot have a specific price because they can have the most variety.

So, now the last thing I really need to do is start getting the word out.  Wish me luck with that.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

Busy Day

It is 10 am on a Monday morning I have already done a few things today (which is very surprising since I am NOT a morning person).  After taking care of a few personal things I knew I needed to figure out what else I needed to do for my business to get up and running.  So, that is where I started today.

First thing is a way to advertise.  I already have a Facebook page and thank you to all of you who have visited it.  Please continue to tell your friends about me, you will be best way to let people know that I am out there.  I also was able to create a flier that I can use to start to spread the word locally.  I want to be able to show you, but I can't seem to get it.  When I figured it out, I will show you all.  Hey what can I say it is a Monday.  The other thing I am working on is a business card that I of course can hand out to anyone.  I will be getting help from a very good friend with that, but not today because today is her birthday, so that will have to wait. (Love you girl!)

Secondly, I have a PayPal account set up so I will be able to use this blog and hopefully soon a website to take orders and payments.  With that, I am in the process of creating a permanent list of products that will be posted on the blog to let everyone know what I have to offer.

Lastly, is to get the internet to cooperate long enough to get some of things posted for the world to see.  I know I am asking a lot for a Monday, but hey I need to be an optimist.

Well, some of you I hope are wondering if the cupcakes I made were a hit or not.  Well, I can say with resounding 'YES' they were.  Everyone who had one said they loved them.  Next time I make them I am going to try milk chocolate instead white chocolate.

Well that is all for now.  I will let you all know if anything else occurs in my small corner of the baking world.

Until next time...... Happy Baking!

Angel Food Cupcakes

Well, I can finally say I, in a sense, made my own creation.  I just finished making Angel Food Cupcakes with White Chocolate Mousse Filling.  Ok Ok, it isn't completely MY idea...my husband gave me the idea of using the mousse as a filling.  But, of course he didn't need to twist my arm too much on the idea.  I decided to use white chocolate over milk chocolate because I think the sweetest would go better with the cake.

Here is the final product.

I give it a thumbs up in taste and so did my 3 year daughter.  I know, it is a cupcake, it is sweet, of course she will like, but to her credit she does have different levels of likes and this was a high level of like.  More people will be trying them out tomorrow.  So, I will let you know what they all think later.

I want your opinion.  After seeing this picture...do you think this is good logo or not?  I am hoping by the end of the week I can have some flier created and out.

My next big project will be for my daughter's school.  They are having a luncheon for the teachers the second week in October.  The theme is Italian.  So, one thing I will definitely make will be an Italian Rum Cake.  I made a sugar-free version for my father's birthday last year and it was a big hit.  I am not sure what else to make.  I'll be combing the internet for recipes over the next couple of days.  I'll you know what I come up with.

Until next time......Happy Baking!