Wednesday, September 12, 2012

VT hokies words

I made this with Tagxedo! It was really fun and easy. 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

MERICA

This shirt is hilarious - Too bad I'm in London right now. Don't think they would appreciate me wearing this!!
Buy it here... Kiss My Southern @ss

Happy 4th of July!!

from top left (clockwise): somewhat simple, the bearfoot baker, designsponge, lisa stormslisa storms, sprinkle bakes, HMH designs, disney family
Pinned Image

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Across the pond

I'm in London for a week for work!! 


Monday, March 26, 2012

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Mint chocolate chip is one of my all-time favorite flavor combinations. So I made these for St. Patricks Day since they are green! I used my standard super moist chocolate cupcake recipe and added a mint chip buttercream. YUM!! 
Taste: Chocolate-y with just a little hint of mint (really not overpowering at all)
Texture: So moist, love this cupcake recipe!
Would I make these again?: Yes! I might add a drop of peppermint extract to the icing for a more minty flavor.


Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

YIELD: 24 Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
Found: My Baking Addiction
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon instant espresso granules dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water
12 Andes candies (halved)

Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream Frosting:
Found:  Baker Royale
1 cup butter
4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons whipping cream
1/3 cup of crushed Andes
A few drops of green food coloring

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla and espresso water mixture. Beat for about two minutes on medium speed until well combined.

Fill each cupcake liner about 1/3 of the way full with cupcake batter. Add half an Andes candy, then spoon more cupcake batter until the liner is filled about 3/4 of the way full.

Bake for 17-19 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Add butter and sugar in a bowl and beat on low until just combined. Increase speed up to medium high and beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, cream, and green food coloring and beat until combined. Turn off mixer and fold crushed Andes in with a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Funfetti Cheesecake Cupcakes with Cake Batter Cream Cheese Frosting

Funfetti and cheesecake in one cupcake? Who can resist?

Taste: Exactly like the name says: Funfetti with cheesecake!
Texture: Moist and cheesecake-y
Would I make these again?: Yes, they put a new spin on funfetti
Funfetti Cheesecake Cupcakes with Cake Batter Cream Cheese Frosting
found: Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

Funfetti cake batter ( use your favorite homemade or boxed version)
8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 and line 24 muffin tins with liners.

Spoon funfetti cake batter into each tin until it is about 1/2 full. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, egg, sugar and vanilla on medium speed until smooth. Spoon one spoonful over the top of each cupcake. Bake for about 15 minutes or until set.

Cake Batter Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 stick salted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup white cake mix (MIX–NOT BATTER)

In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract on medium speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar and cake mix and beat on low until just combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes. If frosting is too thick, mix in a bit of heavy cream or milk until desired consistency is reached. Frost when cupcakes are cooled.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Chocolate Cheesecake Marbled Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes for the Superbowl and they were a hit! I used my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe from my Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes since they were SO moist. I swore I would never use another chocolate cupcake recipe, and I meant it! These cupcakes were supposed to have a cheesecake center, but mine turned out to be more marbled. The cheesecake flavor didn't shine through except for the chocolate chips. Oh well! 
Taste: The cupcakes were super chocolate-y and delicious. Didn't taste like cheesecake at all though :(
Texture: SO ridiculously moist 

Would I make these again?: Probably not, unless I put the cheesecake in the middle instead of marble it.

Chocolate Cheesecake Marbled Cupcakes
YIELD: 24 Cupcakes

Cupcakes
Found: My Baking Addiction
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon instant espresso granules dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water
24 Reese’s Miniatures; frozen (this prevents them from disappearing into the batter)

Cheesecake Filling
Found: Bakergirl (Frosting too)
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 large egg
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 ounces chocolate chips

Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2-4 tablespoons milk
1-3 tablespoons cocoa powder, depending on color/flavor of chocolate frosting desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla and espresso water mixture. Beat for about two minutes on medium speed until well combined.

To prepare the cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and salt and whisk until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill each cupcake liner about 1/3 of the way full with cupcake batter. Add about a tablespoon-size scoop of cheesecake mixture, then spoon more cupcake batter over the top until cheesecake is covered and the liner is filled about 3/4 of the way full.

Bake for 17-19 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To prepare the buttercream frosting, beat butter and shortening in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt. Beat in confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, scraping down sides of the bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of milk; beat at high speed until light and fluffy. Add additional milk for desired consistency. Add 1-3 tablespoons cocoa powder depending on the taste/color you want your frosting.
Oh, and then my cupcake carrier decided to die on me. :(

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Valentines Day Collage

Enjoy! [click, save as, set as desktop background, center]

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

So I stumbled across this recipe and made it the next day. They sounded so easy and delicious, and they were! You can put any toppings you want s'mores (graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate chips), cinnamon raisin, anything!! I combined my new obsessions: butterscotch chips and coconut and added chocolate chips because it was in the original recipe. But feel free to customize them with whatever floats your boat! 

Taste: SO good! Mine came out a little too sweet so I might add some cinnamon and more chocolate chips
Texture: Really soft and chewy, they bend while you are holding them.
Would I make this again?: Yes! I will probably make another batch for next week! 

No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
yield: 10 bars
found: lauren's latest

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
additional toppings (butterscotch or any flavor chips, coconut, pretzels, etc)

Directions:
In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. In a small bowl, stir together your desired toppings. Set both aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. Sprinkle with toppings and press down lightly. Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Rebounderz Trampoline place

So... there was a Living Social deal for this place in Sterling, Virginia called Rebounderz. It's basically an entire gym (geared towards kids) full of trampolines, and it is AMAZING. We went for my "26th b-day party". First we jumped normally...
Then we did group stunts...
Then we jumped into the foam pit...
We threw balls at each other...
And went upside down..
And we all were VERY sweaty and tired. The place was so much fun though! We payed for an hour and it was more than enough time. It was a blast. If you have a place near you, I highly recommend going!! 

Happy Chinese New Year!

found: bake happy

paint the year

How cool is this tea towel painted as a 2012 calendar? Buy it here!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Barbacoa Beef

Madeleine told me that I HAD to make this recipe so I did. And it's delicious! 


Taste: Delicious! We had it with corn guacamole which really enhanced the flavor
Texture: Moist and tender
Would I make this again?: Yes! Just throw it in the crockpot and have a delicious dinner at the end of the day! 


Barbacoa Beef 
found: Gina's Skinny Recipes

3 lbs beef eye of round or bottom round roast, all fat trimmed
5 cloves garlic
1/2 medium onion
1/2 lime, juice
2-4 chiptoles in adobo sauce (to taste)
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp ground oregano
1/2 tsp ground cloves
salt and pepper
3 bay leaves
1 tsp oil
1 cup water
Place garlic, onion, lime juice, cumin, oregano, chipotles, cloves in a blender.

Trim all fat off meat, cut into 4 inch chunks. Season with salt and pepper and brown on high heat in 1 tsp oil. Add liquefied spices, water, bay leaves and put in crockpot on high for 4 hours.

Once cooked and the meat is tender, remove the meat and place in a dish. Shred it with two forks and discard the bay leaves. Return the shredded meat to the pot, adjust salt and cumin (you may need to add more) to taste. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes to let the flavors penetrate.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Ella!

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, but I've been a little busy with a... brand new PUPPY!!
She is a Miniature Dachshund. She is now 15 weeks, and we got here near Thanksgiving at 9 weeks! Here are some of my favorite pictures of her so far:
Her very first picture. This is the night we brought her home
Reading with Dad
Sleepy puppy
Baby asian pupster
Just hanging out with Dad
Christmas puppy!
Ah, I love this little pup so much already!! 
P.S. If you can't tell, I also got a new camera!! I finally caved and got a Canon Rebel T2i. I love it but don't really know how to use it. Luckily I'm taking a camera class this weekend!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012