Fleur-de-lis

Happy Fat Tuesday everyone!

Cream Filled Cupcakes

I usually bake once a week for work to keep the spirits up of my co-workers. This little number I made for our inventory day. Let me just tell you that I ended up working a 13 hour day (some people had a 16 hour day!) and the work week to follow was insane. Needless to say by the time I got around to photograph these cupcakes they were a good 5 days old! I had them on a plate in the kitchen with a note that said “Please don’t eat!” In my family if there was no note who cares how old it was my dad would have eaten it!

These were actually really simple. Here is the recipe I used. I adapted it from allrecipes.com

CREAM FILLED CUPCAKES

Make your favorite chocolate cake according to the cupcake directions.
Let cool completely before filling or the cream will melt.
CREAM FILLING
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 pinch salt
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Make filling:

In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening together until smooth. Blend in confectioners' sugar and pinch of salt. Gradually beat in 3 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Fill a zip lock bag with mixture and cup off the tip. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, make a hole in the top of the cupcake. Fill each cupcake being careful not to over fill. Cover with glaze.

CHOCOLATE GLAZE

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a double boiler over hot, but not boiling water, combine chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, then add vanilla.
Spoon over cupcakes.

Valentines Day Sugar Cookies

My sister works as a teacher and every year I make Valentines Day cookies for her students. This is what was made for this year. Looking back they look a lot like last years… I think I need some new inspiration!

Miss Moon's Masterpiece

I love it when kids help me cook. It’s fun to watch as they lick the frosting off their little fingers and to see their eyes light up as they pour sprinkles on.

I had the joy of watching Miss Moon create these masterpieces!

Pink is the new red.

Pink is the new red.

Ask anyone.

I <3 cupcakes

Simple, elegant and oh so delicious.

I <3 cupcakes!

Hot Lips

I am going to let you in on a little secret.

Listen carefully.

The day after every major holiday I go to target at 9am and shop the clearance isle. Let me tell you there are deals to be had! Last year I stocked up on all my decorations for this Valentines Day.

I like to call this cupcake Hot Lips in honor of Major. Houlihan from M.A.S.H.

Little known fact about me. I LOVE Alan Alda. I used to watch Scientific American Frontier every Tuesday along with Nova and Frontline. I am a nerd.

Valentines Day Count Down

Let the bake fest begin!

You can see other Valentines Day treats here and here.