Layla Would Have Loved Today...

Layla would have loved today...lying out on the back deck, nose up high sniffing the soft breeze...happy as a clam. Layla was my cupcake baking partner...I made the cupcakes and she got to have her photo taken with the cupcakes...and some of the time she actually got to taste a bit of frosting or just some of the cupcake. She was always willing to participate in the baking process!

Layla has been ill for more than a month since the vet discovered that she had canine dilated cardiomyopathy. This morning it got the best of her and she passed over the rainbow bridge around 3:30 a.m. Today I know that Layla has become part of that breeze I feel. RIP Layla 4.4.11...I am missing you today and forever. My heart is very sad today.

Vanilla Cupcakes with Starbucks Coffee Liqueur Buttercream Frosting for My PT Friends!!

Today was my last day of physical therapy for my "Lucky" knee replacement...2-1/2 months worth! I made these cupcakes for the ladies at the Shady Grove Center for Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. They are the most awesome people and I recommend them highly...Pat, Lita, Jen, Karen, and Jan!

Then I took some of the cupcakes to work...ran in to Laura Scott and she got to finally taste one of CQ's cupcakes...the funny thing about that is that she was carrying a vente Starbucks at the time!

Have a great weekend...I'm heading to Williamsburg to visit my Mom and sister!

CQ and Layla

52 Cupcakes Named One of Top 10 Blogs Where You Can Discover Something

Here's what Mei-Lynn Destouche blogs.com says:

Top 10 Blogs Where You Can Discover Something New:

52 Cupcakes
Who can resist a cupcake? Not me! This is embarrassing to admit, but this blog makes me drool. This blog features yummy cupcake recipes.These aren't your typical school bake sale cupcakes.

Thanks for the accolades!

Have a great day, CQ

Holy Baking, Batman...They're Junior Mint Valentine Cupcakes!

These are Double Chocolate Junior Mint cupcakes with pink mint frosting...ready to be eaten on Valentine's Day 2011!

Don't you love love songs...especially on Valentine's Day...one of my favs is by Celine Dion...Because You Loved Me...

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Happy Valentine's Day, Batman!

CQ and Layla

The Absolutely Best Chocolate Reese's Cup Peanut Butter Cupcakes You'll Ever Eat!!

Notice the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup on the bottom!

The BEST!

Okay, Kids...here is the recipe:

Cupcake Ingredients:

1 package Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix

2 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1-1/3 cups water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 package REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line 24 cupcakes cups with paper liners sprayed with PAM. Place one Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures on the bottom of each paper liner.

Then, place the cake mix, cocoa powder, peanut butter, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Blend for 30 seconds on low, then increase speed to medium for 1 minute and 30 seconds. 

Spoon 1/3 cup of batter on top of each miniature peanut butter cup. 

Bake the cupcakes until they spring back when lightly pressed with your finger. Check them after 15 minutes. They may take 17 minutes, depending on your oven temperature.

Frosting Ingredients:

1 stick of butter (room temp)

1/2 cup shortening

4 cups confectioners sugar (sifted)

1 tsp vanilla

8 tbsp milk (may need a little more or less)

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1 cup peanut butter (creamy)

Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix with a hand mixer. Then, decorate your cupcakes!

The Peanutiest Chocolate Cupcakes Who'll Ever Eat!

Knee Replacement Puts CQ Out of Commission for the Holidays!

Layla and Nigel are keeping me safe through my post op phase. We just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday...no baking for Layla or CQ this Christmas...had a knee replacement on Dec. 15, so we're off our feet for a while!

These are one of my favorite Christmas cupcakes: http://52cupcakes.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html

How About Some Easy Thanksgiving Cupcakes!

These are butternut squash cupcakes with sage frosting! They are very moist and taste awesome!

They are made using a Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Spice Premium Cake Mix!

Here is the recipe that makes 24 cupcakes:

Ingredients:

For cake:

--1 Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Spice Premium Cake Mix
--1 large butternut squash

For frosting:

--1 bunch of sage

--3 tablespoons of water

--3 tablespoons of granulated sugar

--12 ounces of cream cheese (room temperature)

--1/2 cup butter (room temperature)

--1 cup of eggnog (or milk, if you prefer)

3-4 cups of powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin tins with paper baking cups, and set aside. Peel, quarter and remove seeds from butternut squash. Place in a large sauce pan covered with water and bring to a boil until squash is tender. Put the pieces in a food processor or blender, then set aside for a while.


Make cake mix as directed on package. When cooled, fold the butternut squash into the cake mix. Fill the cupcake papers three-quarters full, making sure that the batter is divided evenly. Bake cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center of them comes out clean, about 12-15 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.


Frosting directions:

Chop up the sage so that it's in very fine pieces. Heat the sugar and water in a small sauce pan under medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add the sage to the sugar water mixture and heat  over low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Set aside to let cool.

Beat butter and cream cheese until creamy...about 2 minutes.

Stir the sage syrup into the butter and cream cheese mixture. Add the eggnog or milk to the mixture.

Finally, add the powered sugar a little at a time to the mixture until you have the mixture you want.

Now, frost your cupcakes...you will receive very happy praises from your Thanksgiving guests!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

CQ and Layla