Cupcake Goggles

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-08-10T21:09:00.000-07:00

Three weeks ago I got a new job. Better hours, amazing people, closer to home and did I mention better hours? Well I haven't been this happy in a long time. What better way to celebrate a good mood than cookies?

I know, I'm just dripping with unicorns and rainbows these days but I just can't help it.

And because I like you, here is the recipe.

Tried & True Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

(I replaced the raisins with chocolate chips. Whatever, I do what I want)

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups rolled oats
2 cups raisins
OR
12 oz package of chocolate chips

Combine first five ingredients in bowl; set aside. Beat butter and sugars in a bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture until blended. Gradually add oats and raisins. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees F, 10-12 minutes. Cook on racks
Makes 4 1/2 dozen.

Good Day Sunshine!

2011-07-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

I got a new job, today was my first day and I'm as happy as this lunch bag I saw at target the other day! I'll be bakin' to make friends at new work in no time!

Yay me!

Eggs Cocotte: A Happy Husband Maker

2011-07-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

Since I got married my new favorite thing is to play housewife, even though I'm not a house wife. I have a 2pm - 10pm job that sucks the life out of me. The only good thing about it is my open mornings to make my husband his favorite thing. Breakfast.

As a wedding shower gift from one of my bridesmaids I got this amazing book.

And as the title promises, this recipe is really easy. Easy for me to modify the way I want.

Preheat the oven to 400F.
I use two of my mini cocottes and spray the bottoms with PAM. You can grease them however you like. The recipe calls for spinach, but I only had arugula. So that's what I used.
Chop chop.

Fill the bottoms with yummy arugula.

Add parsley.

Chop up some ham.

Add ham to your beauty cocottes.

Crack two eggs in each pot of yum, add a splash of milk and season with cracked pepper and kosher salt.

Bake 10 minutes or so until the whites are cooked but the yolks are still runny. Cover with cocotte lids for presentation.

Wait for it...

Nom nom nom.

A closer look.

Here is the original recipe. I added more time because I added an extra egg and my cast iron cocottes take a second to heat up. If you use smaller ceramic ramekins you can follow the recipe's baking time.

SANDWICH MONSTER!!!

2011-07-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

Mexican Cooking Fun!

2011-06-01T14:19:00.001-07:00

True to my word, I have started baking again. However, I apparently haven't taken to documenting the goods very well. I got two pix out of an afternoon baking in my lovely kitchen.

Two weeks ago I made a Mayan Chocolate Cake and Mexican Wedding cookies for our friends who had a Mexican themed house warming party that turned out amazing. Well, kinda. I'm still getting used to my oven and I burned the first batch of cookies a little. Luckily, you can't tell once they are covered in powdered sugar. They got devoured at the party.

Also, last Friday I got off work ridiculously early (Thanks Boss!) and didn't know what to do with myself so I made my Mother's chocolate chip cookies, and set out some appetizers and invited my girlfriend over. My husband, friend and I had an impromptu party. Of which, I took zero photos.

So, I promise, the next time I bake up or cook up the yums, I take tons of pictures. Until then, here is the recipe for Mayan Chocolate Cake. So good!

Chocolate Mayan Bundt Cake

6 ounces Cacao Dark Chocolate Baking Bar, broken into small pieces
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease & flour 12-cup Bundt pan.

In a double boiler, melt the chocolate stirring constantly to avoid burning.

***or if you must:
(Microwave chocolate in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 45 seconds; STIR. If pieces retain some of their original shape, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted.)

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cayenne pepper in small bowl. Beat brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in melted chocolate. Beat flour mixture into creamed mixture alternately with milk.

Pour into prepared Bundt pan.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; invert cake onto wire rack to cool completely. Transfer cake to serving platter. Drizzle cake with Chocolate Glaze. Let set before serving.

Just Curious

2011-05-16T19:52:00.001-07:00

Any new clicks on the site? We'll find out.

Me No Lie

2011-05-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

Like I said, coming back to bake. And I did....

For my Birthday, my BFF got me the most amazing contraption.

BEHOLD....

The Cake Pop Maker!
I'll give you a minute.

And with said miracle cake pop maker I made my husband (tee hee, that'll never get old) Cinnamon Apple doughnut holes, rolled in cinnamon sugar. I know. Best. Wife. EVER.

Yeah, here's the thing... I forgot to take pictures! LAME, I know. Believe you me, they were fantastic. A baked doughnut hole. Who knew they would give a Sunday morning just a little bit more sunshine.

Next time, pictures. In color. Maybe the macro on.

Oh yeah, click HERE to check out Babycake's Cake Pop Makers.

Since August?

2011-04-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been since August that I've been here. So much has happened. I remodeled my house, got married, and am back and ready to cook and bake again!! I have a new kitchen with all new baking and cooking tools.

Are you as excited as I am?

Easter just passed and my husband (I just like saying that) and I were so sick, we missed it. Luckily I have an amazing set of parents that drove up to see us for a minute to drop off Easter cheer.

If you've been reading this blog for a very long time you know how much my husband (hehe) and I LOVE circus peanuts. Only my lovely Mother would make us a circus peanut carrot for our Easter basket.

Ok well, I'm not jumping back in totally head first. As you can see above, I have a lot of organizing to do in my beautiful new kitchen before I get cookin'. However, I am back and happy and married and have a ton of new cook books and bake books.

(Could use a grammar book, but this is blog is called Cupcake Goggles not Good Grammar Goggles.)

Spooky Cupcake

2010-08-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to lie to you... I can't wait for Halloween and all the spooky treats I'll be able to make in my brand new kitchen!!

(Photo - Carnivalty's Flickr)

Rosemary Cookies and Cashew Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-07-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

I made the most amazing cookies! I made two kinds, Rosemary and Cashew Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. The cashew butter cookies were good but the rosemary are my new favorite cookie! I'll post pictures and recipes soon. Don't be mad, but I may not post the rosemary recipe. I think I may keep that in my secret recipe book.

On The Eight Day, God Gave Us Humor

2010-05-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

Bakin' Vacatin'

2010-05-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

This week I'm moving all my stuff out of my house and into storage to renovate my condo. The entire condo. That means kitchen too. A rockstar, gas range, new window, completely open and modern bitchen' kitchen!!

HOWEVER, that does mean all my cupcake and baking supplies will be going into storage for the next four months. I'll be in my fiances very bachelor pad kitchen. So I'm taking a cupcake and cooking break. I might however whip up something from time to time and post it. But for the most part, all you'll get is random posts and things that make me laugh for this summer.

I can't wait to come back and break in my new kitchen. You all will be the firsts to hear about it.

The Best Medicine

2010-05-14T17:11:00.001-07:00

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice?

2010-05-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

With videos like this, no wonder little girls are 5 going on 35. My Father would have shipped me (and the choreographer) to a convent. They are great dancers but this is incredibly inappropriate.

Strawberry Basil Cupcakes

2010-04-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

You read right. Strawberry BASIL. It all started with a strawberry basil salad that I made WAY too much of.

It's easy enough to make. Cut up strawberries, cut up fresh basil and toss together with a few tablespoons of good balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of sugar. Bing Bang Boom!

I just took my regular strawberry cupcake recipe and used this strawberry basil salad in it.
My poor mixer has been feeling a little useless lately. I felt bad for her. I knew she'd dig on these yummy cakes.

Here's all the fixin's
A pretty polka dot outfit for m'cakes (It's a fancy Friday, why not?)

Batter up!

Done
and done.
I set up a build-your-own-cupcake bar at work Top it with a little whipped cream and left over strawberry basil salad. My co-workers loved them!

(These cupcakes are dedicated to Haejung. Sorry you missed these and I hope you feel better. I promise I'll make these again.)

Now to figure out what do do with all these cuties?!?!

McHipster Tomato

2010-04-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

Cupcake Cereal

2010-03-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, folks. THIS is really happening.

(Thanks Tricia!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I've made cupcakes. I had the best time making these.
They're magically delicious

Green Vanilla

Chocolate Mint

These are SO green

STOP Motion.

2009-11-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

I stole this from a friend's blog.

Radishes The Other Day

2009-10-19T12:41:00.001-07:00

I was chopping radishes the other day and came across a little heart.He just kind of jumped out at me, and said his name was Art.I was about to say hello, but before I could start.Little Lolly heart popped out and swore, never would they part.

But then I threw them away. Eh.. all in a day.

Cranberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-10-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

These are every bit as good as they look. At first I wasn't sure about the cookie, it was different than I expected. A good friend of mine gave me this book, and it's the first time I've tried a recipe. It's like shortbread. Yummy crumbly buttery shortbread. I modified it a tiny bit by adding white chocolate chips in place of coconut.(click on image for recipe)
I also watched the Kings lose to Ohio. At least these cookies turned out and my day wasn't a complete downer. So pretty and delicious.

Stowaway!!

2009-10-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

This grasshopper held onto my car from the parking lot at work all the way to the garage at my house. About 7 miles. Little stowaway, no one rides for free. I made him clean my car.

What Made My Friday

2009-10-09T21:11:00.001-07:00

What's As Cute As A Cupcake?

2009-09-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

Baby sea turtles!!!!-

Happy (Belated) Birthday Candy Land!!

2009-08-24T14:09:00.001-07:00

The bestest game ever Candy Land turned 60 last week. On Wednesday August 19th, in honor of Candy Land's birthday, Hasbro turned Lombard Street in San Francisco into a real life Candy Land board game.

Check out this cake I found on gigiscakeboutique's flickr. You should check out her other cakes on her flickr page, they are amazing!!

HA! I also found this Candy Land Gingerbread board on Arts Enthusiast's flickr page. Talk about incredible gingerbread houses!

Anyone wanna play Candy Land?

Real Men Of Genius

2009-08-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

I know, this is completely non-baking/cupcake related. I just thought this is an amazing piece of art.

I came across something incredible in my stroll through the internet. I found this picture of a Portrait of Jimmy Carter by Octavio Ocampo.It was a gift from José López Portillo the President of Mexico. This was presented to President Jimmy Carter in February of 1979.

Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies. No Wait... M & M Cookies... No... Walnut White Chocolate Coconut Cookies

2009-08-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

Picture it, this morning, my kitchen, eating cereal. I look in my pantry and see a pile of an idea. So I says to myself, I says "What could I make out of this mini mountain of goodies?" I search through my recipe book and came across this: I can make sort of an Everything-but-the-kitchen-sick cookie. Then I get started on softening some butter. I had a little bit of dark brown sugar left over so I used that up with a little light brown sugar.La La La, finishing my cereal, drinking some tea, just about to mix all the base ingredients.. La la la... WAIT A MINUTE..... I can't just make an M & M coconut walnut toffee mini chocolate white chocolate chip cookie!!! That's just irresponsible, it can't be done. I have the dough all mixed up, now what?I actually saw the light bulb turn on above my head just then. I decided to split the dough three ways and make three different kinds of cookies, ALL FROM THE SAME DOUGH!!! It's insanity!!! My first cookie creation I'll use walnuts and coconut....and white chocolate chips!! YES!Into the oven, OH hello there engagement ring!For my next cookie trick... M & M's!! These pink M & M's were left over from my 30th birthday. My Mother had them made. Duchess is a nickname my parent's good friend Danny gave me when I was little.The dough looked too pretty to add anything to it, so off it goes to the oven!Ok.. last cookie.. what to do.. what to do..... what would the guys over at Apple, Inc. do? They'd keep it simple and sexy.... are you thinking what I'm thinking????? Walnut mini chocolate chip! It's crazy, but it just might work.LET'S DO IT!! The dough looks so good do I have to bake them?.... (fine)Like the Three Caballeros, I give you

Coconut Walnut White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pink Duchess M & M Cookies
and Walnut Mini Chocolate Chip CookiesWhat we've learned here kiddies, is that you can take any basic cookie recipe and fold in a bunch of yummy and pretty things from the pantry to make some destructively tasty cookies.

A Tuesday Treat: PERFECTION

2009-08-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

Tommy Sparks "She's Got Me Dancing" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

You're WELCOME.

They Eat Cupcakes In Laguna Beach?

2009-08-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday brunch was spent with my fiance and my wonderful parents by the beach in Laguna. Margaritas, ocean views and fun! While walking along we came across this little shop.

Flowers, cupcakes AND gifts?!?! That's my kinda place!
How much is that cupcake in the window, ruff ruff. (wait.. what?)

I love the mini cupcakes!!!

Red Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting: A Bakers Ultra Challenge

2009-08-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

My sweet little Nephew turned 2 last week, and had a party on Saturday that I made red velvet cupcakes for! I borrowed this recipe from Martha Stewart. I'm sure she doesn't mind. Any cream cheese frosting will do, but you can't have my recipe! They turned out amazing! The only thing I'll do differently to this recipe next time I make it is add about a tablespoon more of cocoa powder.

Here was challenge. The cupcakes were for Saturday and I didn't have time to make them Saturday morning so I planned to make them Friday night after work. Friday rolls around and it turns out that I had to work late. I panicked a little and started to call around to find a bakery that could have 2 dozen red velvets ready to be picked up the next morning at 9am. After all the laughs I got, you would have thought I was Don Rickles!

I only had two hours to run home, make cupcakes and make it back to work by 10pm. I live on the other side of town. I left work at 8pm and managed to fight the Friday night dinner traffic, make 2 dozen cupcakes, chop a ton of veggies for a veggie platter, then fight Friday night bar and club traffic and made it back to work by 10pm. It's amazing what you can do in two hours as long as you have A) a boyfriend to talk you of a ledge while you drive like a jerk to get home to do everything and listen to you complain about how typical it is that you have to work late on the one night you have something really important you have to take care of, and B) a better attitude after talking with said boyfriend/miracle worker.

Here is the murder scene in my kitchen after that whirlwind.

It was a little disturbing that the batter looked like ketchup.

They of course turned out beautiful!

It was a good thing I made those sunflower seed butter cookies to bring to the party as well.

My Nephew had a guitar rock n' roll theme for his party, so I found these cute little guitar toppers on Shop Bakers Nook.

This one was mine.

I shared it with my fiance.

Not bad for slapping these together in less than 2 hours!!

Sunflower Seed Butter Cookies

2009-08-14T00:18:00.000-07:00

It is so great to be back in my kitchen. First order of business... IMPROMPTU COOKIES!!!

My Mother recently introduced me to a whole new kind of yummy goodness, sunflower seed butter. As you can see I got this at Trader Joe's. I think this stuff is better than peanut butter AND cashew butter, coming in at at tie with almond butter.
I took my regular peanut butter cookie recipe and simply substituted sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter.
The magical ingredients.
All the gooey goodness.
Patiently waiting it's turn for the 'cookie sauna'.
Warm and cozy
Golden deliciousness.
These have a much more rich roasted taste than regular peanut butter. So amazing!!

K.I.T. - B.F.F

2009-08-14T00:15:00.000-07:00

I've missed my old friend. Never fear, good things to come!!

(Who's a pretty princess?)

I'm Engaged!!

2009-08-14T00:10:00.001-07:00

I've been a terrible blogger these days, however I do hold a very good excuse. I got engaged on the Fourth of July!! My fiance (hehe) proposed on our 4 year anniversary. I couldn't be happier.

(Don't worry, this won't become "The Wedding Blog" but I may put a few updates up.)

My Very First Quilt

2009-05-04T16:59:00.001-07:00

My Mother is teaching me to quilt and here is my very first one I did over the weekend with her.

For Nick (Also NOT cupcake related)

2009-04-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Not Even Close To Being Cupcake Related

2009-04-28T19:33:00.001-07:00

These two pictures are not even close to being cupcake news or related but they made me laugh so much today.

Almost as funny as a turtle eating a watermelon!!

...And Then There's Tears.

2009-04-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

Beloved Bea Arthur passed away on Saturday. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

Such a great talent and for us all a great loss.

2009-04-15T20:28:00.001-07:00

Cuties!

2009-04-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

My muffin and I cannot stop eating these little tangerine/orange/mandarin delite cutie thingies. So I decided to make one. Isn't it cute?

A Picture That Made Me Happy.

2009-04-02T18:27:00.001-07:00

(Special thanks to the Sex Polizei)

Domo Little Tokyo!

2009-04-02T17:55:00.000-07:00

Today I ventured downtown to Tokyo town! Well, Little Tokyo and the Japanese Village. I met up with the ladies and had a lovely morning and lunch. We went to the Hello Kitty store and I got some stickers and pens! (I am a 12 year old, I'm fully aware) Then we went to the Little Tokyo Market Place and picked up some adorable crab snacks!!!
I can't wait to try them. I've been told they are best with beer. I'll be giving that a whirl this weekend! My boyfriend will not be partaking in the crabby fun snacks. He's had enough crabby fun this week. (I love him)
I also came across the cutest little Thomas The Train cookies. While I was checking out I found my favorite Ritter Sport chocolate bars that I can't find anywhere. One of my good friends is from Germany and on one of her trips home she brought back this delicious Ritter Sport with CORNFLAKES!! It is as good as it sounds.

Thank you ladies for a super fun Thursday morning!!

Three Dozen Reasons Why I Hate Myself

2009-04-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was beautiful wasn't it? Sunny, not so busy and not so stressful at work. It was so easy going and work was so out of touch that yesterday that I had time to flip through the March issue of Martha Stewart's Living. I love her, and don't care what other people think. She's fabulous. Anyway, It was at the very last page that I saw it with my private eyes. A recipe for oatmeal cookies with dried apricots and white chocolate.
And to think I almost missed it hiding on the very last page. (Click on image to view recipe)
I looked at the ingredients list and I just happened to have had everything needed at home to make these lovely cookies. There was a little kiss on my list.
Here are the butter and sugars mixed and I did it in a minute

Hall and oates... I mean flour and oates

Apricots and white chocolate chips

Mmmmmm apricots you make my dreams

COOKIES!!!

This recipe makes 3 dozen yummy perfect cookies. Karla Cucio said these are my best cookie yet. But I can't go for that (no can do). I still think the coconut cookies are my best. The coconut cookies are a maneater and will take on these oates cookies one on one.

Ok.. it's late. I can't think of any more Hall & Oates songs to jam into this post. hehehe

Today's Special: Chicken Noodle Casserole (Old School)

2009-04-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

Today's lunch was brought to me courtesy of yesterday's lunch. Yesterday I baked two big breasts of chicken with brown rice and broccoli. Healthy? Yes. Yummy? You bet.

However, I only ate the one chicken boobie and the other one was cubed and baked into this tasty delight I took this Tuna Noodle Casserole (for real) recipe and modified it (Click on picture to view recipe) First of all, I halved the recipe. I only had one can of cream of mushroom soup and seriously, how much chicken noodle casserole can you eat? I didn't have peas, so I used corn and green beans. I threw in the left-over chicken tata, tiny bit of melted butter and some egg noodles. Mixed it all together and baked it. (Ah, you can see my cute napkin holder that my PaPa made and painted for me.)

I topped it with a little shredded cheese instead of bread crumbs. (I didn't have those either.) Oops. Forgot to add the milk. Oh well. It was still really good without it, but the extra creaminess would have been nice. This yummy comfort dish was so much better than the burger and fries I may have gotten in lieu of. Sometimes it sucks being a girl if you know what I mean, but then it's ok when I remember I can cook up something wicked awesome to eat!!!

Why Most Things Before 1959 Were Just Better

2009-03-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

Shoulder Pad Sunday!

2009-03-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

I had the best day yesterday spending time with my ladies watching Golden Girls and cooking. I made sausage and peppers: and pasta with clam sauce: Everything turned out amazing. For desert, I made my NaNa's apple pecan cake.
This was the first time I've ever made this recipe and it turned out amazing. My NaNa passed away when I was one year old so I never got to taste anything she ever made, but I have a feeling that her cake was incredible.

(Thank you to my sweetheart ladies who came over and spent the evening with me. I cherish you all and somehow at the same time hate you all for making me drink so much. *Insert recipe for bitter bundt cake here*)

Number 9, Number 9, Number 9

2009-03-13T16:16:00.001-07:00

Really? Today's #9 top search ....

Who on earth is... you know what.. I don't even want to know. (Shaking head)

The Granny Square: Not Just For Grannies Anymore

2009-03-12T20:38:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited I could poop!

First off, last night I taught myself, with the aid of About.com how to crochet.... oh my goodness.... A GRANNY SQUARE!! Cupcake Pink Pink is posing by my very first granny square.

Second, I have discovered something... someone... grand. She's genius. She's giant. She's gem studded!!

Leslie Hall or Leslie & the LY's

Lady Leslie Hall is what's playing in my car. All the way to the bank!!

(oh snap!)

Girl Scout Thin Mint Cupcakes!

2009-03-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

Happy happy thursday! Today, it seems is the 97th Birthday of the Girl Scout organization. So in honor of years and years of stuffing my face with box after box of Thin Mints and Samoas, I made cupcakes. (Whoo hooo!!)

I give you... The Thin Mint Chocolate Cupcake with cream cheese frosting:

This cupcake is very easy to make. Just take your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe (or... I hate to say, chocolate cake mix) follow normal instructions. Once mix is all whipped up add 18 crushed thin mints to the batter and presto!! Thin Mint Chocolate Cupcakes, yo.

Eeeek!! Naked cupcake!! (Spreken zie sexy... Heraus schauen! Es ist die Geschlecht Polizei!)
Yummy fluffy cream cheese frosting...

Topped with a little piece of thin mint cookie.

The minis...

There is a tiny little cupcake streaking my kitchen! Here are her cupcake panties! (ew)

Have You Ever...

2009-03-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

...seen a baby snail? Is there anything cuter?

Cupcake Goggles Salutes You

2009-02-25T16:10:00.001-08:00

Radical! Breakin' and Poppin'

2009-02-11T17:35:00.000-08:00

If anyone can find this book, please let me know. I NEED it. It is IMPERATIVE to my new lifestyle of Bakin' and Poppin'. I incorporate The King Tut with Egyptian cookies

Valentine's Love Advice

2009-02-10T20:21:00.001-08:00

With St. Valentine's Day just around the corner everyone is looking for a little love. Here are some dating tips from Pee Wee Herman, The Cowntess and Cowboy Curtis (Psst - It's really Lawrence Fishburne) that will help you win your lover over.

Tee Hee

2009-02-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

I know a certain someone who might be interested in the Hello Kitty Belly Painting Kit! You can get them at Toys 'R Us or Amazon!

Pst - You're welcome.

Once Upon A Time...

2009-02-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

I went here and got this ate it, and hurt this then drank this and felt better.

The End.

Shoe Of The Week

2009-02-05T21:10:00.000-08:00

These absolutely delightful satin Christian Louboutin d'Orsays are the only thing you would wear to this meringue party.I would marry these shoes just to see them perched a top a white fluffy cake with a tiny me next to them.

Kings Quest

2009-02-03T22:30:00.000-08:00

I remember playing Kings Quest in my Father's office and eating Cup 'O Noodles when I wasn't filing or typing for him. A classic game.

Cupcakes That Don't Wynn

2009-02-02T20:29:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, I bedazzled myself and headed out to sin city to have a little fun. On Saturday morning after a really really long night, we stumbled down to The Buffet in the lobby of the glorious Wynn Hotel. This buffet had it all. Filet mignon, sushi, a cereal bar (hot and cold), Mexican, Asian, Italian, all the creatures of the seafood bar. There isn't a thing about the Wynn hotel Buffet that isn't near perfection. Except one. One very important thing. The cupcakes. These pretty, sexy, tasteless, insulting cupcakes.

I took one bite and left them for dead. These cupcakes are like that popular witch in high school, gorgeous and alluring on the outside but insipid and wicked on the inside.Such superficial beauty, breaks my heart.

What ever bad dessert happens in Vegas, should stay in Vegas.

The Best Part of Superbowl XLIII

2009-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

I kills me that he knocks his own googly eye off.

Moody Cupcakes

2009-01-29T21:35:00.000-08:00

I made this expressive pair for a friend who is pregnant. She can set out whatever cupcake suits her mood for the day.

Cute As A Cupcake

2009-01-28T20:22:00.000-08:00

I don't care. I still think she's amazing and beautiful. Regardless of how many cupcakes she may or may not have eaten, she still is super cute.

Saturday: Baker's Hours

2009-01-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday was Bakefest 2009. I was bakin' my cupcakes off for my best friend's Birthday Brunch on Sunday.

BAKED GOODS ROLL CALL!!

Blackberry toads.. I mean scones with lemon curd and tangerine muffins.
Lemon anisette biscotti.
Coconut cookies. (Here's also a view of the spread)
And of course, the reason we are all here... Chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and shaved coconut.
Everything turned out amazing! It was the first time I made scones and they tasted like heaven. The only thing is that the blackberries bled and made them look like toads. Next time I'll fold in the fruit at the end. Other than that, everything was perfect. The chocolate cupcakes are now my own recipe, molded and tried to perfection. My own secret recipe. And the biscotti is my Mother's recipe. So you won't get those recipes. I will however give out the tangerine muffins and the scones.

Tangerine Muffins
(from TASTE OF HOME)

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 carton (8 ounces) vanilla yogurt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup diced peeled tangerine
1 tablespoon grated tangerine peel

Directions:
In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, egg, butter and milk until smooth; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in tangerine and peel.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack. Yield: 1 dozen.

Blackberry Scones
(from RECIPE ZAAR)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 cup frozen blackberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Whisk the milk and the egg together until frothy and then set aside. In a large bowl, blend the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and blend the mixture with your hands until you have no lumps larger than a pea. Add the sugar and the blackberries and toss about until the blackberries are coated with the flour mixture. Add the egg mixture slowly until the dough comes together. Leave any remaining egg mixture to brush on as glaze.

Turn dough out onto a clean counter and knead it no more than 12 times. Pat dough into a round approximately 1/2 an inch thick, and cut into 8 wedges. Place on an ungreased baking sheet or a Silpat. Using a pastry brush, glaze wedges with remaining egg mixture. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy!

(HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LADY RENA!!!!)

For Mr. & Mrs. White

2009-01-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE

Little Irish Baby Shower

2009-01-15T23:34:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post these last year when I made cupcakes for my first baby shower. I made vanilla cupcakes with pink vanilla frosting and pistachio cupcakes with a rose glaze. Do you like my ghetto packaging?

I Can See The Future

2009-01-15T21:45:00.001-08:00

In my crystal ball I see.... tons and tons of baked goods for the weekend. It's my best friend's birthday and I'm baking up a storm for her Sunday Birthday Brunch! Here is a tiny sneak peek.The ever perfect and addicting coconut cookie. Once again, thank you to The Delicious Life for the fab recipe!

Karla Cucio's Birthday Cupcakes

2009-01-15T20:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend is Karla-quake's Birthday, so I made her red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Yummy yummy! Here is the interesting part about these cupcakes. I made them with the Sprinkles cupcake mix. I have to say, they turned out amazing for a mix!
They even came with the Sprinkle's brand dots!

Yummy chomp chomp... Here are the directions that came with the mix. There is a pretty good recipe for their cream cheese frosting. It's good, but it doesn't beat my mother's cream cheese frosting!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARLA LOVE!!

The Ultimate Shoe Challenge Is Back!

2009-01-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

That's right folks! Everyone's favorite blog about shoes is back! Hop on over and take a gander. I'll allow it.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ULTIMATE SHOE CHALLENGE

Beauty Cayden's 3rd Birthday Cupcakes

2009-01-13T20:37:00.000-08:00

One of my good friend's daughter turned three in 2008 and she asked me to make vanilla and chocolate cupcakes for said occasion. Aren't they cute? They turned out to be a big hit!

Happy 3rd Birthday Cayden, love!

Vote No SAG!!

2009-01-09T17:44:00.000-08:00

Please don't strike SAG. I need my job right now. Cupcakes don't pay the rent. (Not yet at least.) If you don't strike I'll make tons of cupcakes, bring them to the lot and hand them out to everyone.... well, not the actors. Because we like you nice and thin.

Listen to James Cromwell, he knows what he's talking about.

That'll do pig, that'll do.

Happy New Year 2009!!

2009-01-08T15:19:00.001-08:00

Fantastic! This year is going to be full of frosting and baked goods, you aren't even gonna know what to do with yourself. Even though we are 8 days in and I haven't baked a thing, don't think I'm not cooking something up. This year, aside from baking cupcakes by the truck load, I'll be experimenting in all kinds of baking. Bread, muffins, scones, cakes. If it's got flour and you can through it in the oven, I'll be trying to bake it.

Happy New Year everyone! Here is a recap of the baked yummies of 2008.

Peppermint Vanilla Cupcakes

2008-12-22T20:34:00.001-08:00

I had a little ladies luncheon on Sunday and had the best time! I ate so much I'm still full! I made these very special peppermint vanilla cupcakes that are by far my best cupcake to date. THIS is going to be the base for my secret cupcake recipe that I've been developing. I'll let you know if it's successful with the other flavors.
This is what my table settings looked like for my luncheon.

Holiday Suckah!

2008-12-19T16:49:00.000-08:00

All right all right... It's only fair to inform you all that I am on HOLIDAY HIATUS!! YES I can do that and NO I'm not just being lazy. I will be back soon and with tons and tons of fun. So until then.. EAT IT! (cupcakes that it)

A Little Snack.

2008-12-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

Miss me? I'll be back soon. Cupcake promise.

It's Day 50 Over At The Ultimate Shoe Challenge!!

2008-11-05T17:54:00.000-08:00

Strut on over to The Ultimate Shoe Challenge to check out the 50th pair of shoes. The Presidential Candidate that you voted for would want you to.*

*The Ultimate Shoe Challenge is in no way affiliated with any of the Presidential Candidates.

BOO!!! Halloween Treats!

2008-11-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of the Halloween treats I made this year. First up, roasted pumpkin seeds.
I got these seeds from this pumpkin.

Then I made puppy chow. I know you remember this stuff from when you were a kid. I cannot stop shoveling in this yummy Chex mixture sent from the Gods.
I found this recipe on the Chex website.
Now onto the good stuff... CUPCAKES!! I made chocolate cupcakes and pumpkin cupcakes. Here is an unfrosted chocolate cupcake.
Here are the chocolate cupcakes cooling whilst I make the yummy pumpkin cupcakes.Unfrosted pumpkin cupcake. Finally... the finished yummy spooky Halloween cupcakes!!

Mac N Cheese Cupcakes

2008-10-29T20:19:00.001-07:00

Yet another amazing creation by my Mother. She also made these for the Halloween costume party, but they where so good they deserved there own post.

Mac N Cheese Cupcakes

1/2 pound cooked elbow macaroni
1 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan reggiano
2 tablespoons flour
4 oz. cheddar cheese shredded (or 1cup packed)
4 oz. american cheese slices chopped
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Pre-heat oven at 425 degrees.
Spray mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle parmesan reggiano on mini muffin pan and tap out excess. In a large pot melt butter and whisk in flour over medium heat, about 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and cook until it boils, about 5 minutes. Add cheeses and whisk until melted. Turn off heat and whisk in egg yolk and paprika. Fold in macaroni. Spoon mac n cheese into the mini muffin pan and pack in gently. Sprinkle remaining parmesan reggiano on top. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden and sizzling. Let cool for 5 minutes in the mini muffin pan to set. Lift out of mini muffin pan and serve!

My Mother Is Amazing

2008-10-29T20:06:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday my family had a big Halloween costume party, and these are the incredible treats my Mother made.

Monster Cupcakes

Spider Cupcakes

Scaredy Cat Cupcakes

Graveyard Cupcakes

And last but not least... Candy Cookie Caterpillar

My Mother is so creative and the best ever!!!

Wedding Cupcakes Photos (Finally)

2008-10-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the display at the wedding of my four different types of cupcakes. (The caterers put together the display.) Apple Pie, Ameretto, Torta Di Miele, and Pumpkin. They where a huge success!

Hey Cupcake, I'm Mark Wahlberg.

2008-10-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Mark Wahlberg is awesome. Say hi to your Mother for me, alright?

Wedding Cupcakes

2008-10-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

I did a trial run of the Torta Di Miele cake and my Mother's pumpkin bars all in the form of cupcakes!! They both turned out amazing and I KNOW that Paul and Gene will love them on Saturday. Saturday is my first wedding cupcake gig and I can't wait!!
These are the Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

...and these are the Torta Di Miele (Italian Honey Cake) cupcakes.
Everyone at work went nuts for these cupcakes!! They might be my favorite yet.

Day 30 At The Ultimate Shoe Challenge!!

2008-10-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Click here to see the first 30 shoes of the Ultimate Shoe Challenge.

How On Earth Will I Get 36 Cupcakes To Work?

2008-10-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

With the cupcake courier of course!I just got mine today and I am dying to try it out. (Any excuse to make cupcakes, I know.)
Mr. Skelly Bonestein can't wait for cupcakes brought to him in a neat sky blue cupcake courier.

Ultimate Shoe Challenge is up and running!!!

2008-09-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

Finally, the old crap mac 2000 pooped out and I got a new one!! New computer is so awesome and sexy I want to put stilettos on it!! Go on over to The Ultimate Shoe Challenge cuz today is Day #25!!

Click here to go to The Ultimate Shoe Challenge.

Wedding Cupcakes

2008-09-29T16:04:00.001-07:00

Here is what I made for my first official cupcake wedding gig meeting.
Here are the ameretto cookie cupcakes with almond buttercream frosting.
And these are the walnut spice cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. I made this recipe up as I went along and they turned out amazing!! Good thing I wrote down what I did.

Yummy...

Ami Grumi For My Tummy

2008-09-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few ami grumi I made for T-Bo.
I thought the bee was my favorite. Until I made the monkey.
Here is a Kitty too.
meow.

THIS is good times.

2008-09-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

Why do I identify so well with three 6 year old little boys who do the robot?

Computer FAIL

2008-09-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hello cupcakers! (lame) Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about you, my computer is broken and I haven't been able to post anything. I have some super fun stuff that I've been working on that I can't wait to post. So hopefully by next week I'll be able to show you all the awesome cupcakes I've made and crafts I've crocheted.

See yous guys later.

Popular. I Know About Pop-uuu-lar!!!

2008-09-15T19:25:00.000-07:00

Check it! Oh wait.. you already did. That's why I have over 4000 hits!! What's wrong with you people? Have you nothing better to do then read my terrificly lame blog about cupcakes and the stupid fun things I do? You should be at home watching TV. Lots and lots of TV.

(Psst - TV is your friend.)

Cupcake Swish!!

2008-09-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

THIS is how you peak my basketball viewer interest.

SUCCESS!!! Spotted again!

2008-09-10T20:20:00.001-07:00

I did it! I made it on to the Tastespotting.com website again!!! First with my lavender cupcakes and now with the lemon cream eclairs I made for last month's Daring Bakers Challenge!!

Ida The Sweater Monster

2008-09-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Ida the Sweater Monster is ridiculously cute and so funny!! I found her at Cutesy but not Cutesy at Etsy.

13.1 Miles. Are You Kidding Me?

2008-09-02T20:44:00.001-07:00

I did it! I can't believe I really finished a half marathon! Here's the weird part... I really really enjoyed it and (dare I say it) might actually do it again! It was an amazing feeling crossing that finish line. So, in honor of this giant moment in my life I made CUPCAKES!!! Weeeeeee!!!!!!

The Daring Bakers Challenge - Eclairs Mon Frair

2008-08-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

August's Daring Bakers Challenge is eclairs!! I somehow managed to make these exquisite eclairs in two mornings before work.
First, let's thank this months Daring Bakers Challenge hosts Tony Tahhan and MeetaK from What's For Lunch, Honey? They have chosen Chocolate Eclairs by Pierre Hermé from a cookbook written by Dorie Greenspan "Chocolate Desserts By Pierre Hermé" On Thursday, I made the chocolate sauce and the chocolate glaze that is made from said sauce. (See all recipes at end of post)
Choppin' chocolate.
Here is the chocolate sauce (top pan) and the chocolate glaze (bottom pan) being born. All I had time for on Thursday was the sauce and glaze. So, on Friday I made the rest. Let's start with the pastry cream. I decided to go with a lemon pastry cream that I found on Food Network.com courtesy of Emeril Lagasse. BAM!!
This is my egg yolk mixture.

Here is my sugar cream mixture.
Then... Wonder Twins Unite!
Uh.. kind of. Ok, so don't panic. Emeril was kind enough to tell me that this would happen. Thank goodness too, I would have lost my chocolate sauce if I hadn't known that. Now I had to wait for this "mixture" to cool. Whilst I wait, here is a nutritious breakfast for me to enjoy.
Breakfast is over and out of boredom of waiting for the lemon pastry cream to cool, I noticed I had sweet messy baking hair.
Wait, what am I doing? I should stop fooling around and make the dough!
Mixing mixing mixing...
Baking baking baking...
Drooling drooling drooling...
Glazing glazing glazing!!!
I'm sure that pastry cream has cooled by now... let's mix it.

All done! This is what they looked like assembled. I give you the lemon cream eclair with chocolate glaze raspberries and chocolate sauce drizzled on top.

I gotta run for now (no pun). I'll post all the recipes later when I have more time! Happy Labor Day!!

Just When You Think You Know Funny...

2008-08-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

Picture it: Friday night, 9:30pm. You've just been treated with the words overtime and you're feeling kinda beat. Then out of nothing more than good ol' fashioned boredom, you start going through your favorite websites. One of my favorite blogs is NZ Cupcake Queen. She always has the cutest cupcakes or something that peaks my viewer interest. Today I find a "just for fun" post. "Hey," I thought... "I'm here just for fun!" So I partake. She listed some fun non-cupcake related stuff. First mention: Cake Wrecks. It's a fun blog about cakes.. big whoop...

Oh hoho no!! It's THE funniest blog I've seen yet. I'm sorry to say even funnier than the Rhetorical Letter Writter or maybe even Stuff White People Like. (See Creme de la Creme on the right)

Cake Wrecks is a blog all about, and he put it best "when professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong." It's just too good. It's not just the cakes themselves that are ridiculously funny but the write up as well.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

You MUST check out Cake Wrecks. Thank you NZ Cupcake Queen for the tip and for filling the last crappy hour of work will laughter and tears.

Even Me?

2008-08-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

Anyone can be a Graphic Designer, but only people with eye patches can be a Criminal Investigator or Police.

Ultimate Shoe Challenge Has Moved!!!

2008-08-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Shoe Challenge has officially moved to it's own blog. I felt it was wrong, very very wrong to show my feet next to such yummy and beautiful cupcake treats. From here on out you can check out the Shoe Du Jour HERE and watch me make Imeda proud.

For The NZ Cupcake Queen

2008-08-20T15:40:00.001-07:00

Something for next year's "Boobs On Bikes" Parade in Auckland!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSAY!!!

2008-08-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a cupcake for you! Have the best Birthday EVER!

Funniest Thing I've Ever Seen. Period.

2008-08-19T18:13:00.001-07:00

A turtle eating watermelon? Are you kidding me?

I want one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL!!

2008-08-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

Sending cupcake happiness to the start of the Birthday pageant for Paul.
(Photo curtacy of Lindsay's Biker Birthday)

Can Scientist Prove "Cupcake Goggles" Next?

2008-08-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

An article on Yahoo.com claims that scientists have proven "beer goggles" to be real.
I'm doing my own study on "cupcake goggles" and the connection between cupcakes and happier, brighter and more fun vision. Are things really better with cupcakes?