Lemon Buttercream Cupcakes

Before I get to this week's recipe, I have to share this story with you. Tonight we were at a local food tasting event, and Gigi's Cupcakes was one of the vendors.  As I approached the booth, all wide eyed and smiling (as I always tend to be in the presence of a Gigi's Cupcake), I told my husband, "I have to decide which ones I want to try."  And the girl behind the table said, "Take as many as you want."  And I said, "Oh no! Don't say that, cause I'll take them all!"  
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Red Velvet Cupcakes

Red Velvet is often thought of as a Valentine's Day dessert, but it's festive red color is great for many occasions.  Over the weekend I made these red velvet cupcakes in honor of our first Crimson Tide football game of the season.  Woohoo!

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Patriotic Dessert Ideas

Since Memorial Day is coming up next week (and 4th of July is just around the corner), I thought it would be fun to share some patriotic dessert ideas for this week's food post.  I found some many cute ideas as I looked on my Google Reader and on Pinterest.  Here's some of my favorites! Hope you enjoy!

Red, White, and Blue Cookie Bark from Your Home Based Mom

Patriotic Cupcake Kebobs from Zen Cupcake

Patriotic Fruit Tarts from Nothing But Country

Red, White, & Blue Chocolate Dipped Strawberries from Baking Bites

Flag Cake from Make It. Love It.

I'm linking up to these parties.

Free Mother's Day Cupcake Printables

Hey everyone! I'm back in town and we have electricity! Yay!

Since I've been gone, I'm little behind on emails and posts.  And I've also come home to find out that despite having a surge protector, the storm has killed my computer, so I've got to share my husband's until I can get something else.  So that will cut in to my computer time for the next couple of weeks.  But I'm okay with that, considering there are thousands of people without homes!

Anway, since I haven't had a chance to work on my posts, there's no giveaway this week.  Instead I've got a freebie for you!

These Mother's Day Cupcake Toppers can be downloaded for free at The Tom Kat Studio.

Also, check out The Tom Kat Studio on Etsy to purchase some super cute party supplies!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes

I originally shared these cupcakes last year as a guest post for the Cupcake Carnival at Attempting Creative.  At first I wasn't sure what I'd make for the event, but after a lot of cupcake brainstorming, I decided to combine two of my favorite flavors which are chocolate and cheesecake.  The end product was a batch of yummy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes!

I found the recipe for the cupcake somewhere online, and then for the cheesecake topping  I just threw in a little of this and a little of that, and then a little more of this and that, until I had the perfect taste and consistency that I wanted. Hope you enjoy!

Chocolate Cupcake Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup water (or milk)

1 teaspoon vinegar

1/4 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350.  Mix all your dry ingredients together (except chocolate chips).  Add wet ingredients.  Beat together on low speed for about a minute.  Use a spoon to scrape down the batter off the sides.  Mix for about a minute on medium speed.  Fold in chocolate chips, if using.  If you aren't using cupcake liners, spray your muffin tin with cooking spray.  Fill your muffin cups about 2/3 of the way full with batter.  Bake for 25 minutes.  (My recipe book says the recipe will yield 20 cupcakes, but I was only able to make 16.)

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Topping Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 16 oz. coolwhip (thawed)

2 8oz. packages cream cheese (softened)

4 tablespoons sugar

1/4-1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions: Place cream cheese in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds to soften. (Be sure to check it in 15 second increments and stir if needed.) Add cool whip a little bit at a time. (I added about 4 oz. then stirred, then another 4 oz. and so on.) Blend well together using a spoon or an electric mixer on low. Add sugar and mix well. (Icing should be fairly thick yet creamy, similar to cannoili cream) If you're not using immediately, you may refrigerate, but don't let it set in the fridge for too long, or it will thicken like a cheesecake and it will be more difficult to pipe it).




Decorating:

Make sure cupcakes are cooled before frosting. If you'd like your cupcakes to be cream filled, poke a hole in the middle, about half way through the cupcake. (I used a handle of a wooden spoon.) I wasn't sure how much icing I'd need for decorating, so  I used extra cool whip for the filling, however, I now know that you should have enough icing to frost the cupcakes and to use for filling if you so desire. To do the filling, I just used a small spoon, and dropped the filling in and around the hole.

Next place your icing in a piping bag or a ziploc and apply to cupcakes. Or use a spoon to spread the frosting on the cupcakes. Decorate with chocolate chips. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

I'm linking up to these parties.

Frozen Mint Cups

I was in the mood for something minty, when I put on my thinking cap and came up with these Frozen Mint Cups.  These are really sweet and yummy without being too rich, and they are very easy to make.  So if you're kids like chocolate mint, you may want to consider making something like this for St. Patrick's Day (or just make them for yourself, either way).  Hope you enjoy!

Recipe for Frozen Mint Cups:

Ingredients:
1 8oz whipped topping
2 teaspoons mint extract
a few drops food coloring
36 chocolate mint cookies

Directions:  Add mint extract to whipped topping. Mix well to distribute the flavor.  Add a few drops of food coloring and stir in. Add more if you like, to get your desired hue.  Take about 24 chocolate mint cookies and crush them in a food processor, or place in a ziplok bag and crush with a rolling pin or other kitchen utensil. 

Line a muffin tin with cupcake wrappers. (This recipe makes about 12.)  Pour the crushed cookies into cupcake liners.  You'll want to use almost all the crushed cookies, leaving just enought to garnish the top of your mint cups.  Next spoon your whipped topping mixture evenly into each mufin cup.  Garnish with remaining crushed cookies, and then stick an uncrushed cookie in the center of each cup.  Chill in the freezer until ready to serve. 

I'm linking up at these parties.

Strawberry Cookie Cups

I love taking recipes that we love and making them just a little different by adding or changing an ingredient, or even just changing the cooking method or overall presentation.  Last week I shared my strawberry cake mix cookies that I made for Valentine's Day, and this week I've got some other sweet creations that I made using the same recipe: Strawberry Cookie Cups!

Recipe for Strawberry Cookie Cups:

Ingredients:

1 Strawberry Cake Mix (18.5 oz)

1 egg

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup oil

Directions: Mix ingredients together with spoon or electric mixer. Line a muffin tin with paper muffin cups. Use a cookie scoop to place a dough ball in each cup. (For mine, I used one scoop for each cup, but if you want them to rise to the top like cupcakes, use 2 scoops.  If using a mini tin, one scoop should do fine.  If you don't have a cookie scoop, use a spoon or your hands to create a 2 inch balls for the large cupcakes.)

Bake for about 15 minutes. Then decorate as desired. For my cups, I left some plain, while others are topped with either sprinkles, coconut flakes, or a Hershey Kiss.  You could also frost these like cupcakes, even though they're not exactly cake like.  Just wait for them to cool before frosting.

I'm linking up at these parties.

Pittsburgh Steeler Cupcakes

This week instead of sharing a recipe for my food post, I'm sharing these cupcakes that I made over the weekend.  My husband is a HUGE sports fanatic, and his favorite team is...you guessed it! The Pittsburgh Steelers! 

As soon as we found out that the Steelers would be playing in the AFC Championship Game, I knew I had to make something special for my hubby.  His favorite cake is yellow cake with chocolate icing, which just so happens to be a perfect tie in for the Black and Gold!

How to Make My Easy and Super Yummy Cupcakes

For the cupcakes, I just used a yellow cake mix and baked as directed. The only thing I added to the recipe was a tablespoon of almond flavoring and a tablespoon of vanilla. This really gives it a rich flavor! 

And then I just used a store bought frosting.  Normally I heat the canned frosting when using it for sheet cakes, but for this I just put it straight into the piping bag.  I had enough frosting in the can to frost 12 cupcakes, and then just enough left over to heat up and pour over a small 9 inch cake that I made to go alongside the cupcakes.  But if you plan on making 2 dozen cupcakes with canned frosting, I'd suggest you get an extra can. 

Cupcake Topper Tutorial

You will not believe how easy it was to make my cupcake toppers!  Before I get to the tutorial I should remind you that sports and other logos are copyrighted and files should be used for personal use only, unless you have permissions to use them otherwise.  I'm not sure what all the copyright rules are because in spite of this, I've seen a lot of items on etsy that use copyrighted logos and the like.  But I would just be careful, and only use logos like this for your own personal projects.

Here's What You'll Need:

Cardstock

Glue or tape

Toothpicks

Scissors or a Round Paper Punch

Computer w/ Printer.

Step 1: Go on the internet and search for the logo of your favorite sports team. (I just typed in "Pittsburgh Steelers Logo."  Wikipedia is great source for this. (After finding the Steelers logo on here, I checked for some other teams, and Wikipedia appears to have a logo for every team out there.)  But if not, you should be able to find something on  just a straight internet search.

Step 2:  Right click on the logo and save it.  Next open up a Word document.  (You could use a photoshop program or other application as well, but Word is just fine with me.)  On a new document in Word, go to the Insert tab, and Insert a Picture.  Select your Picture (the logo), and it will appear on your screen.  Now highlight the image and copy it, and then just paste it on to the document as many times as you like.  (I was able to fit 16 logos onto my page.) Note: If you don't know how to copy/paste, you can also choose to keep inserting the photo onto the page.

Step 3:  After you have your images ready, print them out on card stock.  Then use scissors or a paper punch to punch out your logos.

Step 4: Use glue or tape to attach your logos to the toothpicks.  For mine, I placed the toothpick about half way up the circle.

Step 5: Stick these in your iced cupcakes, and you've got a super cute, yet easy and inexpensive cupcake decoration!  And your party guests will love them!

There you have it! Quick and easy cupcake toppers!

And my cupcakes must have been lucky, because now the Steelers are moving on to the Super Bowl!  So if you're a fan you should definitely make some of these for your party on February 6!  And if you're not a Steeler fan, you can even make some for "that other team."  LOL.

I'm linking up at these fun linky parties.

Crisco's Cookie Central, Frosted Brownie Cups, and a Giveaway!

Today I have a fun-filled and very exciting post for you! Last weekend I got the chance to do some holiday baking using some amazing new baking supplies and resources from our good friends at Crisco.

To support this season of bountiful baking, Crisco has launched a new online resource called  Cookie Central.  All it takes is a few clicks to solve any cookie-related woe.  Features, such as "Cookie of the Day," can sustain a devoted baker throughout the holiday season and beyond, while novice bakers will quickly feel at ease after watching the site's instructional videos.

The website also provides a simple homemade cookie recipe mix that can be used for more than a dozen different types of cookies.

At Cookie Central you can also download some printable Recipe Cards and Gift Tags!  These are perfect to use for holiday gift giving, whether you're giving out cookies that are already baked, or handing out cute jars filled the ingredients so your friends can make their own.

Personally I was very impressed by the site.  It gives you a big variety of recipes to fit all tastes.  The videos and tips are perfect for people who need extra help.  And the printable cards and tags are super cute and convenient!

I was given a set of the printable recipe cards,which I used to make Crisco's Homemade Cookie Mix.  And after much consideration, I used the mix to make some delicious Frosted Brownie Cups.  Mine were made kind of hastily, so their not as cute as they could be, but they are definitely delicious!

Recipe for Frosted Brownie Cups:

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups Homemade Cookie Mix

2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil

OR 1 tablespoon Crisco® Light Olive Oil

1 large egg

1/3 cup milk

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 (16 oz.) container Pillsbury® Chocolate Fudge Frosting

OR 1 (13.5 oz.) can Pillsbury® Easy Frost™ Decadent Chocolate Fudge No Fuss Frosting

Chocolate or other decorator sprinkles (optional)

Directions:  Heat oven to 375ºF. Line mini muffin pans with foil mini muffin baking cups. Combine Homemade Cookie Mix, sugar and cocoa in large mixing bowl until blended. Add oil, egg and milk. Beat with electric mixer on low until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls into prepared muffin cups.  Bake 10 minutes or until center is dry and puffed. Cool completely on wire rack. Frost brownie cups. Top with decorator sprinkles, if desired.

Win it! To help you with your holiday baking, Crisco is offering a prize pack filled with baking supplies to one Simply Sweet Home reader.

-Glass Jar filled with a dozen Cookie Cutters

-Baking Sheet

-Set of Measuring Spoons & Measuring Cups

-Spatula

-Cookie Dough Scoop

-Recipe Cards

-Sample of Crisco Baking Sticks

This is a very impressive prize pack with high quality items. I checked around on the internet, and if you ordered each of the items featured here, you'd pay around $100 for them!  Talk about a super prize!

Giveaway Closed.

I'm linking up to these parties.

Disclosure: Not a paid post. For hosting this giveaway, I received a prize pack like the one being given away here.

Cupcake Carnival at Attempting Creative

I'm excited to be guest posting today for the Cupcake Carnival at Attempting Creative!  Please stop by over there today and find out how to make Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes!  Have a great Sunday!  And Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!

-Jerri

Friday Favorites - Week 15

Greetings! And thanks for stopping in for Friday Favorites!  This week I'm changing it up a little and featuring some of our cupcakes from last week's Sweet Thursday event.  And then next week's Friday Favorites post will include posts linked up from last week's and this week's FF event.  So if you linked up a post here last Friday, you may still see it here next week.

Also, for linking up this week, you are eligible for an extra entry in my Sense daily moisturizer giveaway and my Yoohoo & Friends giveaway! 

Now let's check out this week's featured posts!  If you're featured, I welcome you to take my "featured" button for your blog.

I just love bees! (At least the bees found in baking and craft projects!)  Aren't these the cutest?  These Lemon Honey Cupcakes are from glitter to gumdrops. (We also had some more equally delicious looking cupcakes linked up from here, so you'll definitely want to go by and check them out) 

I always get excited when I see the phrase "Tres Leches."  These yummy looking Tres Leches Cupcakes came to us from Little Bit of Everything.

 Wouldn't you love to have these cupcakes at your picnics this summer?  Liz from Hoosier Homemade linked up a post which included these and several of her most recent cupcakes.  If you haven't been to Liz's place, it is a must see! Each week she bakes up the cutest cupcakes, and she also hosts Cupcake Tuesday each week!

I finally tried pumpkin pie for the first time last year, and since then I've been interested in trying som new pumpkin recipes.  These yummy looking Pumpkin Cupcakes are from Full Circle.

Another cupcake I'd like to try!  We usually see these around St. Patrick's Day, but when something looks as good as this, it seems silly to only eat them in March.  These Chocolate Guiness Cupcakes are from Siggy Spice.

Let's get the party started!  Link up your favorite posts below!  Please link up your actual post (not your blog) and include a link back to my blog somewhere in your post.

 -Jerri

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I'm posting a link to this post on the following sites:
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday is hosted by Blessed With Grace.
Tuesday Tastes is hosted by Crazy Jayz Place
Homemaker Mondays is hosted by 11th Heaven’s Homemade Haven.
Tasty Tuesday is hosted by Balancing Beauty & Bedlam.
Works for Me Wednesday is hosted by We Are THAT Family
Tip Me Tuesday is hosted by Tip Junkie
Tackle it Tuesday is hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom
Sharing Ideas Wednesday is hosted by The Trendy Treehouse
Friday Food is hosted by Mom Trends
Friday Foodie is hosted by Designs by Gollum
Finer Things Friday is hosted by Amy's Finer Things
I'm Lovin It Fridays is hosted by Tidy Mom
Show off Your Stuff Thursday is hosted by Fireflies and Jellybeans