Cupcakes Take the Cake

I was so excited to learn that my cupcake blog was featured on one of the tops cupcake blogs out there... Cupcakes Take the Cake on August 19 th. Check it out at:
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/08/yarn-cupcakes-chocolate-boston-creme.html

I received a few comments from followers suggesting that I post my recipes along with the photos. Thanks for the suggestions and stay tuned for more recipes of my favorite cakes and frostings...

100% Edible Yarn

Frank's Ma knits beautiful scarfs, sweaters, hats and socks for all of us. I thought I'd surprise her with a color pallet for her next project. The kids picked out the colors, of course...

I made carrot cake cupcakes with our garden grown carrots and threw in some toasted walnut. After frosting with the kids desired colors I places a tinted Wiltons candy melt in the center pushing slightly so the cake and frosting indented.

I piped the "yarn" over the frosted cupcake and covered the candy just a bit to create the yarn illusion.
I made some labels on the computer and taped them in a cylinder shape then added two finished cupcakes to each side. I had to refrigerate the cupcakes to be able to work with them.

The yarn needled are 2 pringle wheat stix dipped in white chocolate.

Mama Nudo loved her surprise.

Happy Birthday Nana!!

Stout & Mini's

We were having a get together this weekend with family and friends. Most of us would be having margaritas and beer while hanging out by the pool. I had seen in a magazine beer flavored cupcakes so I figures a good stout frosting would be perfect.

Dark Chocolate with espresso cupcakes with Cream Cheese"Guinness" frosting. The stout adds a unique flavor that goes perfectly with the hint of espresso.

Stout Cream Cheese frosting
1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature
8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature
2 - 3 cups of powdered sugar
2-4 teaspoon of Stout (guinness) depending on your taste buds

1 With an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes on medium speed until very smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

2 Add the Stout and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to desired sweetness and thickness.

Chocolate cupcakes filled with a bit of Salted Carmel with dark chocolate frosting. So I decided to make these little guys again since they were a hit last time we had friends over.
Mmmm... delicious!