Frosting Rosettes

I have been Pinteresting lately (who hasn't?), and I saw a frosting technique from I Am Baker that I thought would be super easy to try.  Truthfully, I first saw this technique done by my Aunt Sharon, who also shared her amazing marshmallow fondant recipe with me.  The best parts about the frosting rosette are that it is nearly foolproof and so easy to do.  All you need is a 1M tip, frosting bag, and some delicious frosting.

If you remember the dreamy cupcakes from my daughter's birthday party, then you will remember how I learned to frost the cupcakes in an amazing way, with the 1M tip and the little pointy peaks, like so:

Well, it turns out that to make a frosting rosette, all you have to do is the exact same thing as the pointy peaks, except start in the middle of the cupcake instead of the outside edge.  Genius! 

For more detailed instructions, head over to I Am Baker.  These rosettes look great all over a big cake or on individual cupcakes.  Plus, everyone will think you are a pastry chef when you bust these bad boys out.  Win-win.

Dreamy Cream-Filled Cupcakes

I'd like to introduce you to a little piece of heaven.  Reader, meet cupcake.  Cupcake, reader.

Here are the basics behind these bad boys.  

1. Devil's Food cake mix
2. Cream Filling
3. Perfect Cupcake Frosting (via Our Best Bites)

Yes, I used a cake mix.  I have a hard time wanting to make my cakes from scratch when the mixes already taste so great and are so fast.  Plus, I haven't found a cake recipe that warrants me spending an extra hour in the kitchen.  If you have one, seriously, fill me in.  I am willing to try any recipe once.

The cream filling is the same one that I used for the owl birthday cake.  After the cupcakes were baked according to the box directions and cool, I used a filler tip to put the pastry filling in each cupcake.  I probably could have put a bit more in than I did, but it's nearly impossible to tell what's going on inside each cupcake.  After I made these, I heard a tip from a friend about how to know when there is enough filling:  Listen for a "burp".  I have not tried it, so don't take my word for it, but if you want to try it, there it is.

Like I said, I used the Perfect Cupcake Frosting recipe for these.  Can I just tell you that everyone raved about it?  It is a little bit of work, but so very worth it.  Take note, however, that the recipe makes enough frosting for 12 cupcakes, and a usual batch from the box makes 24 cupcakes.  I doubled the recipe and had no problems.  In fact, it was the perfect amount for all the cupcakes.  I colored the frosting teal with the Wilton gel coloring, using mostly sky blue with a little bit of leaf green, then I used the big star tip to frost these.  As a finishing touch, I sprinkled on some hot pink sugar sprinkles.  The best part about the frosting is that it didn't instantly form a crust, like the canned stuff.

I was really pleased with this cupcake experience.  Really, really pleased.  These are the best cupcakes I have made to date, and that counts the Rainbow Cupcakes I made last year.  The frosting was a huge part of that, plus the fact that I learned about using the big star tip to frost them.  Seriously, that tutorial changed my cupcake-decorating life.

I think that pretty much sums it up.

Rainbow Cupcakes Trial

I introduced this recipe for Rainbow Cupcakes a couple of weeks ago, and I finally got around to mixing it up for myself last night.  

Here's what I thought about it:

• Wow!  Talk about moist cupcakes!
• Using gel food coloring (Wilton brand) made a huge difference in the intensity of the colors.
• Overall, it was a very easy recipe.
• The butter cream frosting recipe was yummy, but pretty standard (read: nothing new).

I had a really good time making these with my husband.  We made one pan of regular sized cupcakes and one pan of mini cupcakes.  The cooking time for the mini cupcakes was 12 minutes instead of 18, but that was the only difference.

These cupcakes look very impressive for the amount of time involved, so if you are looking to make a big splash, these will do the trick!

P.S. I have no idea how they get the frosting to look so smooth.  I used the same frosting recipe and everything.  I just put it on with a butter knife, and that works for me, but if you know the secret for smooth frosting on cupcakes, let me know!

Rainbow Cupcakes

I saw this recipe demonstrated on Studio 5 (our local morning show) and thought it was worth reposting.  I got the recipe from Mindika Moments, but it seems that she originally got it from Our Best Bites.

photo from Mindika Moments

CREAM CHEESE VANILLA CUPCAKES

8 ounces cream cheese (about 1 cup), softened
2 egg whites
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 box white cake mix
1 cup water
1 t. vanilla

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12 count muffin tins with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl combine the cream cheese, egg whites and vegetable oil. Using a hand mixer, beat the ingredients until combined and creamy.
3. Add the cake mix, water and vanilla and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes.
4. Fill the muffin cups to just below the rim and bake until puffed and golden, about 18 to 20 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly in the tin then transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack.
6. When cook, frost with vanilla butter cream frosting (recipe below) or your favorite frosting.

VANILLA BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

(Mindika Moments Original)

1 C. butter softened (2 sticks)

2 lb. powdered sugar

1/4 + C. milk

1-2 t. vanilla

1. In a mixing bowl combine the butter, vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix, starting slow, until somewhat combined.

2. Start by adding 1/4 C. milk and mix. Slowly add more milk, one or two tablespoons at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency*.

*For cupcakes and cake you want the frosting to be a little thicker, so it holds it's shape. If you are using the frosting cookies, Cinnamon rolls etc...you may want the frosting a little thinner. 

If you want to see this recipe demonstrated, click here to see the video.  She will show you how to do the different colors, which is the most important part of the recipe!  She also added some extra tips and tricks that she didn't have time to talk about on the show.  I am super excited to try this recipe out!  I am thinking I will make some Easter cupcakes to share with our family.

Valentine's Day Birthday Party

Conversation Heart Smash Cake

In honor of Valentine's Day, I will be doing something a little different for today's Feature Friday. I had a Valentine's-themed party for my daughter's first birthday, and I wanted to share some photos of the food, decor, and fun!

Overall Party Vibe

Heart-shaped Bendy Straws and Cello Treat Bags

Candy in Take-out Boxes to Make Your Own Treat Bag

Conversation Heart Cupcakes

This girl know her way around a cake!

Here's the birthday girl playing with her profesh rhythm egg from Uncle T and sporting the personalized shirt I made for her.

Happy Birthday!