Pina Colada Cupcakes with Jamaican Rum Buttercream Frosting

I had bought some buttermilk to make the red velvet cupcakes blogged below, and I didn't want it to go to waste. I had a recipe for Pina Colada cupcakes that required buttermilk, so I decided to have a go.





The rum frosting was VERY tasty and surprisingly strong, despite only having one tablespoon of rum in it. I delivered a few to Jordan and Lance the next day when we went to an advance screening of "I Love You, Man" with Paul Rudd. (Which is very funny, by the way, I highly recommend it).

Valentine's Day Cupcakes

I didn't get to make Valentine's Day cupcakes last year because Alex and I were moving to Frisco at that time. So this year I was very glad that I was able to make cupcakes for my co-workers. I made the classic red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, topped with a pink chocolate heart.



My co-workers loved them. One of my producers, Misty, even said that it was the best cupcake she had ever eaten. WOW! That is probably one of the best compliments I have ever received! After that compliment, I had to give them a test drive to see how they were, and I must say, I enjoyed them tremendously.

Edibles Incredibles - A Review

Last month Alex and I went to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew in Virginia. I really wanted to visit a new bakery, and Shannon knew of one called Edibles Incredible. One evening, we all went to Restin, Virginia in pursuit of cupcakes. Once there, it was hard to get inside, it was a tiny little place with lots of people standing in line.

They had what seemed like 15 different varieties of cupcakes, and it was a tough decision. I ultimately chose the "Snowball" cupcake which was coconut cake with what seemed like a coconut filling, pink buttercream frosting and shredded coconut on top. These cupcakes had a giant mound of frosting on top. I think we paid about $3.50 per cupcake, but there was so much to them, it was worth the price.



My brother chose the chocolate covered cherry cupcake with cherry filling. These cupcakes were BIG! I had to cut mine into quarters. I had a bite of his cupcake, and I really liked the cherry filling.





And they had a great idea for takeout cupcakes!


I thoroughly enjoyed these cupcakes, and will definitely be back when Alex and me visit in the future.

Shared photo book from Jennifer: Our Nephew

View Project at Shutterfly

Lauren's Birthday Cupcakes

My good friend Lauren Horton had her birthday party about a month ago. Her favorite cake is a yellow cake with chocolate frosting, so I happily made them in her honor.



Her favorite color is blue, so I decorated them with blue stars and blue edible sugars.





We all sat around, played Rock Band and Nintendo, ate cupcakes, and had a great time!

For Christmas, I made my co-workers some white chocolate candies. They were a huge success. Even though I don't like peppermint, I was especially fond of the snowmen hanging on the candy canes.

Santa Lollipops


Penguin


Snowmen on Candy Canes


Snowmen


and Christmas Tree Lollipops

Cupcake Musings

While I was making Red Velvet Cupcakes (baking in the oven right now) for Valentine's Day, I had a few thoughts. So I thought I would share them.

1. As exhibited by this blog entry, my mind truly wanders when I make cupcakes. I am off in my own baking la-la land, and I love it.

2. I am not yet a master of Red Velvet cupcakes. When I make them, it makes me think of my grandmother. I wish she was here to teach me how to make the perfect red velvet cake. My parents tell me that she made the best.

3. When I bake and decorate cupcakes, I truly feel like an artist. I may not have been very good at the violin in high school, but darn it, I can make some serious cupcakes.

4. That being said, I look at all the endless cupcake blogs that I follow, and realize that I still have a lot to learn. But I'm learning, and I think I get better each time.

5. I think my biggest and most important cupcakes will be next month for my nephew Ryan's first birthday party. Alex and I are hosting it at our house, and I am so honored that we get to host such a wonderful day.

6. Gel icing colors leave lovely stains on my fingertips...I may complain about it, but I consider them battle scars. :)

7. I spend A LOT of time in the internet looking at other people's cupcakes. I love how there are so many communities out there for cupcake-a-holics like me.

8. One of the things that give me the most pleasure in life is seeing someone enjoy my cupcakes. Some of my biggest fans are my co-workers.

9. When Alex and I had only been together a few months, his grandparents bought me a KitchenAid stand mixer. It was probably one of the best and most appropriate presents I have ever received. I can't imagine my baking life without it now.

10. Alex loves cake batter, and I love presenting him with the paddle beater.

11. I hosted a party at Christmas, with a cupcake/Christmas theme. I had friends and family over to decorate their own cupcakes. It was one of my favorite events that we have had at our home.

12. My friends and family truly support my cupcake habit. They are always sending me recipes and cute cupcake merchandise. My Mom frequently surprises me with new cupcake liners, and it is always exciting to me.

13. Sometimes I think I missed my calling in life. I love doing television for a living, but I often wonder if I could make it with my own bakery. I think the ultimate job for me would be doing television all about cupcakes.

That's all for now, but I'm sure my wandering cupcake brain will come up with a few more......