Oh, Harvey Wallbanger Cupcakes...Thanks for the Memories!

I have no idea why I decided to bake these cupcake...I think I just wanted to buy this cool bottle of Galliano! It's beautiful and it's so frenchy. Earlier in the morning I had come across the recipe for the cupcakes in Ann Bryn's Cupcakes From the Cake Mix Doctor. Yes, I do read cupcake books...I know, it's so bad...but I just can't stop.

So, I went to the Montgomery County Liquor Store in the Cabin John Shopping Center to buy the Galliano. They only had this very tall bottle which was way more expensive than I really wanted to pay...hmmm...what to do? Just buy it! They said I could go to another one of their stores, but I was so hot (it was about 95 degrees here yesterday) and I just wanted to go home. I'd already been to work out, Montgomery Mall, Giant and this was my very last stop. I asked one guy there if there was a smaller bottle available and he looked at me like I was crazy...he'd never heard of Galliano...luckily...or not...the other dude working there heard our non-conversation and put in his two cents about the other stores.

In the end, I plunked down my money...and I also bought a bottle of pink champagne so it wasn't a totally unfulfilling excursion.

We served the "Harvey" cupcakes at a brunch we had today, and later this afternoon, Laura and I were chatting about the Harvey Wallbanger drink or should I say "cocktail"?...and how we used to drink it way back when...and I remembered too much about it, but we won't go there...I"m sure my brother remembers THOSE days...but I regress...back to Laura;s and my conversation...we couldn't remember exactly what they tasted like...so we whip out the laptop, get the recipe, grab the vodka, Galliano, two glasses and some ice. Ahhh...magically, I was transported back to the good old days of watching Redskins at my parents' place with my family and acting all crazy! I can even remember this dark burgundy dress I used to wear. Who would have thought that cupcakes could do that?

Theme of the week: “Every exit is an entrance somewhere else” (Tom Stoppard) but this has nothing to do with cupcakes....on the other hand, I guess it could.

Hope you have a great week...next week I head to Vegas for a conference and a meet-up with my family!

Rock On, CQ

P.S. Layla says hi and she's sorry she didn't get in the cupcake photos this week...she was just too worn out from the heat. Here she is napping the afternoon away!

50,000 Cupcakes for Maryland Day!!!

Maryland Day - the University of Maryland's annual open house - is 10 years old! We're baking with 50,000 cupcakes to celebrate - and the entire Washington, D.C. region has been invited to join us! The day kicks off with a grand opening ceremony at 10 a.m. in Hornbake Plaza featuring WMAR's Mary Beth Marsden as the host. Shhh - don't tell anyone - but Testudo has a special surprise in store.

Update: 4.24.08: we're test tasting the Maryland Day cupcakes this afternoon!!!!

The Cupcake Queen has been invited to be one of the judges for the Cupcake Decorating Contest on Maryland Day!

Here's the recipe for the 50,000 cupcakes provided by our Dining Services folks:

White Cake Recipe

1415 lbs cake flour.. sifted..
78.33lbs baking powder
46.33 lbs salt
707.55 lbs high ratio cake shortening
1769lbs granulated sugar
177 gallons 2% milk
2.5 gallons flavoring
117.93 gallons fresh eggs

Total weight 6,392.15 lbs

Icing

4275 lbs 10 x sugar
541.5 lbs Margarine
541.5 lbs Icing Shortening
912 lbs water
1.75 gallons flavoring

Total weight 6,284 lbs

This video features our president...Dan Mote and his wife, Patsy, beginning the baking process:



The Cupcake Queen will have to show up with four stitches in her cheek to do her judging...what do you think happened to her? Several good stories have been put forth:

CQ was sleep walking and tripped over Layla. (Deb)
CQ was working out on her treadmill, dropped her ipod and hit her cheek on the handrail. (Meg)
CQ was in a car accident. (Barb)
Somebody said shut-up and CQ thought he said stand up. (Mac)
CQ fell in the hallway...tripped over the cat...hit face on floor. (Millree)
CQ got bite by her dog. (Beth)
CQ was outside on her deck..it was raining...she slipped on the stairs and hit her cheek on the railing. (Peggy)
Something hit CQ. (Joanne)
CQ was out mowing her lawn. Her mower handle caught a tree branch and the branch swung back and hit CQ on the cheek. (Brian)
CQ walked into a pole. (Herb)
CQ heard a noise outside in her backyard. Layla ran out to see what it was. CQ picked up a dustbuster and a cupcake and went out to find Layla. There was an extraterrestrial vehicle in the yard and little ET things running around. They got scared when they saw CQ's dustbuster and shot her in the cheek with an ET laser thinggie. And, then they flew away! (Ellen)
CQ got bite by a dog. (Tom)
CQ was watching Law and Order with a friend. The friend got so carried away during one scene that he/she punched CQ in the cheek. (Dave)
CQ was gardening and fell on a hoe. (Holly)
Mo says that CQ hit herself with something...then Mo says that sounds goofy, doesn't it!
anonymous said...I think CQ was fast & furiously icing cupcakes when the icing spatula slipped from her glazed fingers, flipped in the air, and came crashing down on her tender cheek.
bro said...I think CQ was jumping on the bed and her brother pushed her into a radiator.
cupcake queen said...bro...that is the BEST laugh I've had all day...and you are so right...however, this time it was left cheek!
sam said...LOL...too funny! Thanks for sharing and wish I could be there for the cupcakes!
CQ tripped on on something in the yard (Sapienza)
CQ was hit by a kitchen cabinet (Brodie)
CQ got smacked by Laura (Bonnie)

What do you think happened to CQ??? If you can, come to Maryland Day and find out!

The truth will be revealed in CQ's next posting.

All You Need is Love...and a Few Cupcakes!

The kids went to a couple of weddings this weekend...one in Binghamton, NY, and one on Amelia Island in Florida...this inspired me to look into making some wedding cupcakes!


I found just the right one in A Baker's Field Guide to Cupcakes by Dede Wilson.


Then I added a bride throwing her bouquet to a small crowd while the groom looks on....


...and so does Layla!



All you need is love!

CQ

Cupcake Cars Gone Wild!

from boingboingtv

Enjoy!

CQ

Peep Family Overrun by Family Favorite Rum Cupcakes with Rum Glaze!

Take a "peep" at the Peep Family breakfast...seemingly unconcerned that their house has been over run with Rum Cupcakes...as they all...mom, dad, brother and baby...enjoy reading their Washington Post...even the dog and cat!

Cupcakes based on "Hugh Pearson's Rum Cake"...much rum!








More Peep Family Fotos here

Have a great week!

CQ

Martha Stewart's One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes Make for Happy Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to Lesley, Chris and Kate...our March birthday stars! I know how much Kate loves Martha Stewart's One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes...so I made them for everyone!



Adding Martha's Mocha Buttercream Frosting made the cupcakes taste like Starbuck's drink! YUMMMMY!



I don't know how we're going to top this for April birthdays.....But, you know how much Layla loves a party!



Have a great week....CQ

Super Duper (GO GIANTS!) Chocolate Overload Cupcakes

Dark chocolate cupcakes with mini-marshallows, mini-chocolate chips and Godiva Chocolate Liquor with Godiva Chocoalte Liquor Frosting!

This all started out with a double chocolate cake mix! Then I just went cupcake crazy...adding a box of instant chocolate pudding, a cup of yogurt, mini-marshmellows, mini chocolate chips...well, you get the picture, right?




They were so moist and, OMG...chocolat...E! I made Laura take them to her office...I COULD NOT have them around the house. There's just something about chocolate.



And, Layla...what can I say about Layla...she is such a good doggie. I had had had to give her a big kiss after this photo shoot because you know dogs cannot have chocolate...I did, however, give her some pieces of sliced apples which to her seem to have the same affect that chocolate has on me....drool!


Stay Tuned for next week...big contest announcement...for Starwars Transformers...what does that have to do with cupcakes...not a thing...well, maybe a little thing.

Special SHOUT OUT this week to my sister, Robin...she's havng a relationship crisis right now...so, if you see, give her a BIG hug!

Have a great week...and be sure to "ROCK ON"...

CQ

It's Time to Eat Grad-U-Ate-Tion Cupcakes!

Working on a college campus, you always know SOMEONE who is graduating...either in the spring or winter. So, now is a great time to make graduation cupcakes. Maryland's commencement exercises are Sunday and Monday. Our commencement speaker is U.S. House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer, who also happens to be our congressman, and a Maryland alum...class of '63!

Okay...now back to the really important items...like CUPCAKES!


This photo shows several decorated versions of the cupcakes: Hi Dad, ThX Ma, Grad, and BYE. I bought the candy letters at the local Giant and the graduation decorations at Michaels...you know...one of my favorite places...which by the way...now has Martha Stewart Craft items....Martha has a complete aisle to herself...the decorations were in the scrapbook area and are called "Jolee's By You."



The cupcakes I made are from a cake mix by Duncan Heinz... Dark Chocolate Fudge....I meant to add a box of instant vanilla pudding to the mix, but I grabbed the wrong box and added banana pudding!!! It actually turned out okay and the cupcakes tasted pretty good! I had bought some Duncan Heinz Whipped Frosting....awesome taste and easy to work with!



Last...but definitely not least...we have Layla who did graduate from doggie school, gazing at her favorite object...other than breakfast, dinner or her Frosty Paws Frozen Treats, that is!



Hope you have a gr8 week...filled with lots of cupcakes!

Rock On, kids! CQ

White Mountain Chocolate Cupcakes...and One Turtle!

Inspiration smacked me right in the face...not once but three times...to get me to make these cute cupcakes from Elinor Klivans' cupcakes! book: her photograph of the cupcakes she'd made, the thought of chocolate and sour cream together, and, finally, the challenge of making Seven-Minute Frosting! As if that weren't enough...I got inspired about what to put them in. So, I rummaged around for the little flower pots that I just knew I'd seen somewhere on some shelf in my house somewhere! I managed to find 5 of them. Ok. That was a start. Then I remembered that I had those pink mini-cups...made out of paper. I ended up with 20 of those guys. Then what? I found 1 of the smallest little flower pots...smaller than the rest... and used that, too.


The Seven-Minute Frosting (SMF) turned out to be pretty easy, but it really takes SEVEN minutes to beat it up! I was beginning to doubt that it was going to "happen"...I checked the timer and it said that 6:34 minutes had gone by and it was still not as thick as I thought it should be. But, in the last thirty seconds it all firmed up. Then I added the vanilla and almond, whipped it a little bit more and there it was....nice and puffy AND thick!

Layla really wanted a bit of these...she was stuck to my side the entire time I was baking. She's really amazing...she stays completely focused on the task of first making the cupcakes and then making the frosting and then putting the frosting on and then taking the photos. She's extremely patient and doesn't carry a grudge because she can't eat chocolate! Ok. I did give her some of the fluffy meringue-like frosting!



Surcie made me go to Target and spend more money on this Turtle...just kidding....she knows that I love the the TERPS...and, I only needed a little push to head over to Tar-shay as we like to call it.

These were a big hit at the office...the turtle is made of individual cupcakes. You can buy it in the baking section of Target!

Rock On!

CQ

Painting the Amy Sedaris Tattletail's Vanilla Cupcakes!

Somehow those little guys got out of the box last night and I found them this morning adding another color to the Amy Sedaris "Tattletail's Vanilla Cupcakes" I'd made earlier in the day. They are from her book I Like You....it's so funny. I also made her "Tattletail's Vanilla Buttercream Frosting" to go along with them and frosted some white and some lilac. When I woke up I found the painters at work adding a spot of green...hmmmmm...the must have had some left over paint from their last job!

I don't know if you have her book or not, but it is really hysterical...I received it for Christmas from my good friend, Meg, who loves to try out new things and is into knitting beautiful scraves. I have never read a recipe written the way Amy wrote hers. It's a bit of a guessing game, but as she says "I like to take chances." Me, too!

The cupcakes were a huge success! They are a little bit crunchy around the top edges and the rest of the cupcake is moist and dense, as opposed to some others I've made that are very light. These cupcakes have authority! They practically scream VANILLA! VANILLA! Next time I'm going to try them with her Dusty's Chocolate Buttercream Frosting....maybe I won't be able to wait until next week to do it!



I found these little pots at Ikea yesterday and thought they would make cute cupcakes...I sprayed the inside with PAM w/ flour before I put the batter in and they fell right out when it was time to pop one in....your mouth...that is! The frosting was, again, a pretty funny recipe. Pour everything in a whip it up. It tastes divine!

I can see why Amy's cupcakes were voted second in New York City by New York Magazine...they are delish! More photos are on my flickr place: photos by the cupcakequeen.

Here are the recipes for both the vanilla cupcakes and vanilla buttercream frosting as quoted from her book:

Tattletail's Vanilla Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. You will need: Unsalted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder, salt, flour, milk.

Put 1-1/2 sticks of butter in mixer and beat at medium speed until somewhat smooth. Pour in 1-1/2 cups of sugar and beat well. Add 2 eggs. I like to crack the eggs on the side of the bowl while it is moving, which can be really stupid. I like to take chances. Yes, I have had to throw away my batter because I lost eggshells in the mix. Yes, it was a waste of food and yes, I know how expensive butter is, but what can I say? I'm a daredevil. Mix well. Add: 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla, 2-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 21/2 cups of flour, and 1-1/4 cups of milk. Beat until it looks like it is supposed to and pour into individual baking cups, until they are about two-thirds full. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Should produce 24 cupcakes; I get 18 because I'm doing something wrong, although my cupcakes were voted second best in the city by New York magazine.

Tattletail's Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

In a bowl, combine 1 box (1 pound) of confectioners' sugar, 1 stick of unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of milk or light cream and beat for a while. Really whip it, don't be afraid to get in there. I occasionally add food coloring and sometimes substitute pure almond extract for vanilla.

If you do choose to add pure almond extract instead of vanilla, you're on your own. I don't know the measurement for it, but I do know it's less than the amount of vanilla you would add.

---

Hope you enjoy them!

CQ

Cupcake Queen Makes Cake! Terps Beat Duke..Again!

All I can say is "Let Them Eat Cake"....I don't know whether to write about the cake or the win...hmmmmm. Okay, it's the cake first! So, the Wilton cake decorating class we were taking is over :( ...last night was week four. We all brought cakes to decorate in our last class. We've enjoyed the most awesome teacher. Her name is Jalaika. She'll be teaching the second class we're taking in April. I decided to make my vanilla cake have two frostings...chocolate on one side and vanilla on the other...the only problem became was that then you have to eat two pieces, because you just can't decide which flavor you want...and, guess what? You don't have to decide...you just eat both!

Last night we finished learning how to make the rose...it's a three week process we built up to. And, we also learned how to make the ribbon bow and some leaves! It was a great class.

And, the other great thing that happened last night...the Cupcake Queen's Terps beat Duke...at Duke...we were soooooo happy. So, I just had to post a couple of photos of our guys! They are so "red hot" right now. We are all keeping our fingers crossed that they keep winning. The contributions came from everywhere. Ibekwe also scored 17 points, freshman point guard Greivis Vasquez scored 13 points, had 12 assists and nine rebounds in 37 minutes! Go Terps...and don't forget to FEAR THE TURTLE!





Rock On!

CQ

Martha Stewart's Moist Devil's Food (Cup)Cakes Taken Over by a Bunch of Clowns!

Earlier this month I began the four week Wilton Cake Decorating class at Michaels. Last week we learned how to make clowns! It's been a lot of fun and I'm sorry that this week is the last one for this class. I'm actually learning how to use all those decorating tips I have...as well as how to frost a cake...hint: there is an easy way...Our class is very small and relaxed...In fact, a couple of weeks ago we had a lot of snow and Catherine and I were the only ones that made it. We had like a private lesson! It was kind of eerie because the entire store was pretty empty because of the snow.

I love the way the clowns began to take on a little personality. I just sort of pushed them right or left or backward and they began to look...well, I hate to say it...but, human. What do cupcake clowns talk about anyway? However, I did all these while trying to avoid lisening to the Terps play UNC...I'm always very nervous that we will lose, so I have to stay what we call...focused! And, then I was standing in front of the tv with my frosting bag in one hand and a cupcake in the other to watch the very ending of that game. Oh Man! Right down to the buzzer it could have gone either way! Sorry, Davy (he's at UNC)...not really, you big baby! And then, the TERPS won!


Okay, I'm more sane now. Deep breath...I may take the second class, but I'm just not sure yet. The next one has to do with making candy flowers. I mean you actually learn how to make all those tiny little things that cost so much money. Well, maybe I'll do it. I just can't decide yet!

These cupcakes are very moist and yummy. I love chocolate on top of chocolate and this frosting is very bold chocolate. I used the cake receipe below and just made cupcakes with it.

More clown cupcake photos up at my flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cupcakequeen/

Here is the recipe:

Martha Stewart's Moist Devil's Food Cake

Makes 1 eight-inch-round layer cake
"Great swoops of glossy frosting make this a wonderfully exuberant cake with a dark backdrop for birthday candles. But this cake is just as suitable for afternoon snacks or a Sunday supper. It keeps well for several days stored on the counter: Cover with plastic wrap or a glass dome to keep the cake from drying out."

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for pans

3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, plus more for pans

1/2 cup boiling water

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 cups sifted cake flour(not self-rising)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1. Heat oven to 350°; arrange two racks in center of oven. Butter three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans; line bottoms with parchment. Dust bottoms and sides of pans with cocoa powder; tap out any excess. Sift cocoa into a medium bowl, and whisk in 1/2 cup boiling water. Set aside to cool.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on low speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down sides twice. Beat in vanilla. Drizzle in eggs, a little at a time, beating between each addition until the batter is no longer slick, scraping down the sides twice.

3. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk milk into reserved cocoa mixture. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour and cocoa mixtures to the batter, a little of each at a time, starting and ending with flour mixture.

4. Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center of each layer comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes, rotating the pans for even baking. Transfer layers to wire racks; let cool, 15 minutes. Turn out cakes, and return to racks, tops up, until completely cool.

5. Remove parchment from bottoms of cakes. Reserve the prettiest layer for the top. Place one cake layer on a serving platter; spread 1 1/2 cups chocolate frosting over the top. Add the second cake layer, and spread with another 1 1/2 cups frosting. Top with third cake layer. Cover outside of cake with the remaining 3 cups frosting. Serve.

Mrs. Milman's Chocolate Frosting

Makes 6 cups
While this frosting is cooling, you'll need to stir it as instructed; otherwise, the frosting around the edge of the bowl will harden and the frosting at the center will remain liquid. The finished frosting should have a consistent texture. Lois Milman, the creator of the frosting, always uses Nestlé morsels and makes only one batch at a time. Spread the icing on Moist Devil's Food Cake as soon as it is sufficiently chilled; it holds its shape well on the cake.

24 ounces Nestlé semisweet chocolate morsels

4 cups whipping cream

1 teaspoon light corn syrup

1. Place chocolate morsels and cream in a heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until combined and thickened, between 20 and 25 minutes. Increase the heat to medium low; cook, stirring, 3 minutes more. Remove pan from heat.

2. Stir in corn syrup. Transfer frosting to a large metal bowl. Chill until cool enough to spread, about 2 hours, checking and stirring every 15 to 20 minutes. Use immediately.

Rock On:

CQ

These are Some Hot Mommas: Bitter Chocolate Ancho Chile Cupcakes with Chocolate Kahlua Granache

See...I told you they were HOT MOMMAS! And, I'm not just talkin' about the cupcakes! I've had my eye on these ladies since I saw them at Michaels in the baking aisle (no less) a couple of months ago...intrigued I was. I finally got up the nerve to buy a couple...well...okay...a pack of them! I lknew I couldn't leave them naked...which they are...so I stuck some paper on their you know what!

Ok, then...now we get to the cupcakes...They really are HOT...oh, at first they just taste like dark, dusky, luscious chocolate, and you're really enjoying yourself...then your mouth begins to heat up (that's the ancho chiles making their presence known...so cool)...and just to add a little more interest you reach the Häagen-Dazs Mayan Chocolate ice cream INSIDE the cupcake...just a little spoonful!

Then, the granache is made with bittersweet chocolate chips, heavy cream...and Kahlua...all warmed up and mixed together. Then the cupcakes go into the freezer and you pull them 30 minutes before you serve them up...who can wait that long? Not me!




And, of course, we are training Nigel to join Layla at the cupcake trough! He's a quick learner...let me tell you. The unfortunate thing for him is that he is much shorter than Layla...who happens to be tongue-level usually with the cupcakes! On the other hand, he never gets his tongue on a cupcake like someone else I know, whose name I won't mention but starts with an L and ends with an A...hmmmm, that could me me, too, I guess!

Last week, the Cupcake Queen was in NYC...had a great time at the CASE conference...our team won 13 awards. The Gala Award Dinner was at the famous Rainbow Room on top of Rockefeller Plaza. WOW! It was so awesome and the party was just the greatest! The restaurant is operated by the Cipriani family and the food and service were amazing.

When we had some free time, we hopped into a cab and headed to Billy's Bakery. What a time we had....it was so much fun and as soon as we opened the door, all we could smell was butter and frosting and cupcakes! What a cute place!

Here is CQ with Angel...and he was one, too. We were ordering cupcakes to eat, cupcakes to take back home with us, cupcakes to eat on the train, Billy's teeshirts, cupcake cards, coffee...well, you get the picture. We were overwhelmed...we are just from Washington, DC, you know...it's no where as big as New York!

Margaret and Deb came with CQ to Billy's, and we sat there and just took in the ambience of the place. We just don't have anyplace like this in DC. Filled up with yummy vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, we made our way down to Chelsea Market, Soho, and ended up at the Vosges Haut-Chocolat Experience...we always seem to be eating...but here we drank exotic chocolate or "blanca" drinks and bought the "Gatsby Collection" for each of our honeys for Valentine's Day. Wow...what a day...what a week!

More photos at my FLICKR page.

Rock On!

CQ

Apple Cider Vinegar Honey Syrup Sponge Cupcakes

	Wow....this recipe seemed crazy at first...in all my cupcake adventures, this is the FIRST time I've made cupcakes using bread crumbs instead of flour!
	I made these for my sister, Robin's 50th...that's the BIG 50!...birthday. Her BIG DAY was actually Jan. 25th, but she wanted a slumber party at our Mom's house so we did it last night. Three of our relatives came down from New York, and two of her Suitland High School buddies came, too.
	The recipe for the these is in the book called Tempt...Cupcakes to Excite by Betty Saw, who is a chef in Malaysia. The recipe was so easy...literally eggs, castor sugar, grated lemon rind and white fine breadcrumbs!
	This is my Mom's dog, Arby...he is investigating the cupcake! Arby is an 8 year old cocker spaniel and a real lover!
These are people at the slumber party: Marie, Noelle, and Maddie from New York::and our Mom!
Laura and Catherine made all the wonderful appetizers! Robin and Jean having a nice hug!
	And, this is today, Sunday....breakfast at Bob Evans...we love the Bob Evans...what a great ending to a great party!
Here's the recipe: Apple Cider Vinegar Honey Syrup Sponge Cupcake "This is a soft spngy cupcake made usng ony fresh white breadcrumbs without flour soaked in a tangy spice-flavoured syrup." Large paper cases--makes 10 cupcakes Ingredients (sponge batter) Eggs (2 large separated) Castor sugar (80 grams, divided into 2 portions Grated lemon rind (1 tsp) Fresh white breadcrumbs (75 g) Apple Cider Vinegar Honey Syrup Apple Cider Vinegar + Honey (100 ml) Caster sugar (40 g) Orange or apple juice (2 Tbsp) Cinnamon stick (1 cm piece) Clove (1 whole) Cointreau (1 Tbsp, optional Topping: Fresh grated white coconut for sprinkling ------------------------- Method: Line muffin pans with paper cases. Place egg yolks with 40 g sugar in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a balloon whisk. Whisk until pale, thick and light. Beat in lemon rind. In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites until frothy. Add remaining 40 g sugar of sugar gradually and continue to beat until stiff. Fold a third of the egg white mixture followed by the breadcrumbs into the egge yolk mixture. Carefully fold in remaining egg white mixture in tow batches. Spoon mixture evenly to fill paper cases and level surfaces with a teaspoon. Bake in a preheated oven at 175 C (350 F) for 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Cool cakes in pan before tkaingout. Meanwhile, prepare Apple Cider Vinegar + Honey syrup. Place all ingredients except Cointreau in a small saucepan and bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Stir in Countreau if using. Remove and leave spices in the syrup to infuse for 15 minutes. Note: This recipe is a good way of using leftover white bread. Simply slice off the crusts and tear them into a food processor. Process until they become fine crumbs. Measure out amount required and use immediately or store in covered containers in the freezer. They will keep for 1-2 months. *The Apple Cider + Vinegar is from Wescobee, an Australian produce. Cointreau can be replaced with either fresh apple or orange juice. *I did not have this product to I did equal amount of honey and Apple Cider Vinegar together. I have no idea if this was right or not, but it tasted great!
Rock On! CQ

Chocolate Starbucks Espresso Cupcakes with Cappuccino Frosting

These cupcakes were such an adventure...I saw the recipe in Family Circle and I really liked the way they looked. But, I wanted to make a chocolate cupcake using a shot of Starbucks espresso so...of course...I HAD to go to Starbucks. I was going to meet my friend...Mr. Vinnie...there, but on the way I thought it would be cool for us to have breakfast at the Silver Diner...which BTW was awesome! But, I still HAD to go to Starbucks...which really is never a chore for me...I love the Starbucks!

I brought home the espresso shot and began to make the cupcakes...which turned out great. A while later I was ready to make the frosting and realized that I needed to head back to Starbucks for a Cappuccino...poor me (smile)...Back home poured the cap into the frosting and it made the nicest creamy coffee colored frosting. Topped it with a chocolate covered espresso bean...from Starbucks...of course!

Layla hung out with me in the kitchen during the entire cupcake process...she's such a champ! Then she patiently poses for me in front of the cupcakes...this time her tongue tried to come out just a bit...I just had to give her a taste of the frosting...I know, I know...I'm bad to the bone!

This photo will officially introduce everyone to Nigel...our baby French Bulldog...he doesn't really know what the heck a cupcake is yet but he sat still long enough me for to get this photo...I"m sure you'll be seeing more of Nigel...aka Devil Dog...

Rock On! CQ

Don't Miss This Snow Ball!

This really started out as a joke...Mainly because it was about 65 degrees today in Washington, DC! But I really wish we had some snow and the only way I could get it was to make Snow Balls! Underneath all this snow is a coconut cupcake. The frosting is made with cream cheese!

Here is what they look like BIG! This little person project is so cool. I love doing them. I've found several sets of little people for the next weeks!
I thought these ballroom dancers were adorable and they fit right in with my snowball (get it?? Snow Ball.....hmmmmm) idea. Oh well...this cupcake is the very first cupcake I made when beginning my personal cupcake journey nearly 2 years ago! If you'd like to try the recipe: Click Here.
Did I tell you all that we got a new puppy...is there such a thing as an old puppy??...his name is Nigel and he is a French bulldog...Layla actually seems to like him and protects him from the other dogs who visit us. I'll post a photo of Nigel soon. Nigel looks a lot like Harry and so sometimes we call him Harry...but we're trying to get over that!
Visit my flickr site and see more of the Snow Ball Cupcakes ....FLICKR

Rock On!

CQ

Exclusive: How to Interview a Cupcake

Starring Lemon Cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
You may have noticed that my new theme is...and will continue for the next few month's to be..."little people" and cupcakes! I'm having way too much fun with this idea. This particular yellow cupcake is vanilla stuffed with lemon curd (I bought the lemon curd in a jar!).
The cupcake recipe is from A Baker's Field Guide to Cupcakes: Deliciously Decorated Crowd Pleasers for Parties and Holidays by Dede Wilson...it's her basic yellow cupake recipe.
For the frosting, I used Wilton's Buttercream Icing: Here's the recipe: 1/2 c. butter 1/2 c. solid shortening 1 tsp. vanilla 4 c. (approx. 1 lb.) sifted confectioners' sugar 2 tbsp. milk In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all the sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at high speed until light and fluffy. Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to decorate. Refrigerate when not in use. Keeps for up to 2 weeks in an air tight container. Re-whip before using. Makes 3 cups.
This mini-cake is for my friend Autumn's birthday...she's 29 today! Her initials are AR...I call her aray...we surpised her today...with the mini-cake...she has never been able to eat any of my cupcakes because she can't eat salt...she has a heart problem...this was my first baking attempt with no salt! It turned out very nicely. I got the recipe out of the Small Batch Baking cookbook by Debby Maugans Nakos. She bakes mini cakes in cans

You can see more of these photos on my flickr account at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cupcakequeen/

Rock On!

CQ

Happy Moo Year!

Yes...it's a Happy Moo Year so far, isn't it? We are looking forward to a great year! More cupcakes and more frosting! Over the holiday, our family had really fantastic news. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer early in November. She had the lump removed but one of her lymph nodes was malignant. We anxiously waited for the results of her PET scan and just before Christmas, the doctor said it looked like everything was clear now. She's beginning radiation tomorrow, but everything is looking brighter, and she's doing fantastic! What a great Christmas present that was!


These cupcakes are devils food (cake mix). I added a 1/4 cup of mayonaise and a cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter, but other wise I followed the box recipe.

The frosting is is from Clare Crespo's Hey There, Cupcake! book. It is her vanilla buttercream frosting. I split the frosting into two bowls...one for the green frosting and one for the men&work cupcake (see below). I wanted to make it a mocha (moo-cha) flavor, so first I added some of Starbucks Cream Liqueur...that flavor was right but the color was still too white for the men@work cupcakes...so then I added Starbucks Coffee Liqueur...the taste was still great but the color didn't change. So my last resort was the mix up a tiny amount of espresso instant coffee with a little hot water. That was the ticket....I got a nice almost maple color and excellent mocha taste! The cow frosting was easy...I just made it green!

The decorating was just plain cow fun! Have you herd the one about....I've been reading cow jokes all day...

Here is a shot of the other cupcake I was working on...men@work makin' cupcakes! You can see more of my photos on my flickr account by clicking HERE.

n e waz...the Cupcake Queen hopes that you all enjoy a prosperous New Year 2007! Look for more "little" decorations this year. It's my next project!

Oh yeah...I forgot to tell you...hi ARAY...come by my office and see how Cupcake Queen SCORED the Tickle Me Elmo Boy from my very sweet sister, Robin...also known as Little Rotten Robin! Elmo is soooo funny!

Vanilla Marshmallow Cupcakes with Chocolate Peppermint Frosting

This was such a leap of faith! Made Billy's Vanilla Vanilla Cupcakes and threw in...literally a cup and a half of mini-marshmallows...just for something different. Brave, wasn't I??

Then, I made Billy's Chocolate Buttercream frosting and threw in some peppermint stuff. They turned out great! I heaped the frosting on to them.






Then, I love the "little people"... found them at the hobby store a few months ago...remembered them and thought it would be funny to have them skiing and skating on these holiday cupcakes!



I hope that you all have happy holidaze!



Rock On!

CQ

Vanilla Vanilla Cupcakes with Snowmen

I've been so busy on a project at work that I've hardly had time to think about cupcakes! However, I was in Whole Foods last week and found the cutest cupcakes and decided that I would try to make one that looked just liked them...And, they came out perfectly. What great therapy!


I used Billy's Vanilla Vanilla cupcake and frosting recipes. It took some time to get the frosting to the right c