Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Res Ipsa Loquitur Muffins


Because I'm studying for torts and don't want to talk about it. "It" being my compulsion to bake. These muffins will have to mostly speak for themselves as I should really be doing other things.
From this recipe for apple muffins, but with more cinnamon and a granny smith apple.


Hoping these get me through my contracts take-home that I'm taking tomorrow. I was supposed to take it today but given the crazy blizzard, we were allowed to take it tomorrow if we wanted.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Coconut Cupcakes

I made these beauties a month or two ago for one of the bake sales that one of the organizations I'm a part of had. International Law Society, maybe? I can't recall...

Anyway, the recipe is from Simply Recipes but made by Vanilla Garlic. Got it? Vanilla Garlic has a rather extensive cupcakes phase a while ago and has some really interesting and off-beat recipes. Check it out if you enjoy the cupcake medium as I do!

These cupcakes turned out very pretty and I loved the cake. I think I have a stronger sweet tooth than the recipe-writer, so if I made them again, I think I'd go with a different and sweeter cream cheese frosting. All in all, delicious.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Sugar Cookies!

I'd never made real sugar cookies before, and these were my first attempt. Not the prettiest, but delicious!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Mint Cupcakes


I made these delectable cupcakes for the Phi Alpha Delta bake sale to benefit a family the fraternity is sponsoring for the holidays. I made extra to take to my last day of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research. Lots of cupcakes...

The cupcake base is an aaammaaazzzinngg devils food recipe from Our Best Bites. It's easily my favorite food blog right now.

The frosting is also from them. Be warned...it's probably the most temperamental thing I've ever made. I've gotten three batches out of six tries, and my learning curve is not really improving. Be sure you've got extra supplies as you'll probably mess up the first time around. I swear, it is worth the pain and suffering. I added mint extract and green gel color to get a nice green minty look and taste.

I piped the frosting on the cupcakes with my Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator. I swear, I'm not being paid by Pampered Chef and actually, the only two PC things I own are this and my fluted stone pan. But seriously, I love this decorator. I've used it 5 times and I've had it for less than 2 weeks.

I topped the cupcakes off with Andes mints chopped in half. Adorable and delicious!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Citrus Glaze


Admittedly, this is a giant version on the below recipe. I made it for Thanksgiving and I've made it a couple of times for various parties and in cupcake form. It always turns out well! Even M can make it!

Cake:
Yellow Cake Mix
Half of a large can of pumpkin pie filling (plain pumpkin works too) - I think this is 14oz
3 Eggs
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

Glaze
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/2 Cup Orange Juice (It's best if it doesn't have pulp)

1. Mix everything together. Coat your cake pan with non-stick cooking spray - I like Pam for Baking. Pour cake mix in and bake for the recommended time at 350 degrees.
2. Let cool.
3. Add orange juice to powdered sugar a bit at a time until you reach a consistency of glaze you like. Pour glaze over the top of cake.

I like to make this in my stoneware Pampered Chef fluted pan. Don't judge me - it loves me back AND I bought it at a garage sale.