Chocolate Almond

These were last minute so I didn't bother taking action shots.  I used the 'one bowl' chocolate cake recipe with the addition of espresso for depth.  A classic almond buttercream topped with cocoa dusted almonds.

Mondays always come too fast, I wish it were Thursday already.  And alas, I am giving up sugar again starting in a few hours. :)

Chocolate Covered Donut Cupcakes

My initial plan was to make a coffee flavored cake and top with a glazed donut, thought it would make a nice birthday cake for a cop :)  Anyway, I decided most people (i mean kids) are not fans of coffee and since I would be surrounded with children this week, may as well make something kid friendly.

Start with baking a rich, chocolate cake. I used a one bowl recipe and added some espresso to enhance the cocoa.

Ice with a light vanilla buttercream, I used a wide tube to pipe a ring on each cake

I felt like it needed more, I would have gone for mini chocolate chips but I was out, so I settled for chocolate sprinkles (i have no idea why this picture won't flip)

And finally, top with a mini chocolate donut

I love my new cupcake tote, as well! :)

Here we go again..

OK, so I lied, I'm saving that new combo for another day.  I had requests for Smores (again) so I whipped up a batch.  This time I followed along with Martha, her marshmallow frosting is the best.  I won't bore with a basic chocolate cake batter, that is the base of the cupcake.  No wait, there is a light graham cracker crust as the base, then the batter, then some more cracker crumbs, and topped with toasted marshmmallow.  My favorite part is the torching :)

I should add, while it may be one of the best frostings, it's really hard to work with and my kitchen looks like the stay puft man exploded

Frosting goes from this, whisking away over a double boiler until warm to the touch and sticky

 To this with an electric mixer after about 7-8 minutes (oh how I wish I owned a stand mixer, hint hint)

 And then finally, we end up with this though the picture looks like crap.  I got a little torch happy

coming up..

my next combo should be loved by cops :)

Contest Update

Boo...came in as a runner up which I am still happy with.  I really didn't even plan on this contest, so this was a last minute entry and still a surprise :)

Holiday Weekend

My first baking episode this weekend was to prepare two favorites for a picnic tomorrow.  Hope 50 Banana Splits and Cherry Pies are enough for this crowd :)

I actually ran out of trays to decorate them on..

*Fingers Crossed*

Well, the Banana Split Cupcakes made it as a finalist in a contest on instructables.com.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Cupcake Finalists