Cupcake Craze

The cupcake obsession is spreading...
We have noticed there are cupcake magazines and cookbooks everywhere. Well, talk about perfect timing when the Sunday newspaper came today. Low and behold this cute pink Babycakes Cupcake Maker was staring right at us, and off we went with Tucker (the dog) to the store! The recipe book is wonderful and this darling machine bakes 8 mini cupcakes in just minutes. We made Mini Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, using mini cupcake liners it made 34. It has got to be the easiest, funest, no clean-up project ever. How exciting to try new combinations with frostings. We will be watching the sale ads for cake mixes and making them for several weeks to come. Now we know why this is called the "cupcake craze"! We had soooo much fun.

Early Easter Present

We went this weekend to Sam's Club and got a Hot Dog and Pizza Combo for lunch, yummy! Of course we could not leave without a trip to the book section, where we found us an early Easter find. An awesome cookbook, Taste of Home Baking Classics. It has 655 great recipes with 449 fantastic color photos. It includes 10 tips for baking success, quick breads, yeast breads, coffee cakes & sweet rolls, pies, cakes, cupcakes, desserts, cookies, brownies, and bars for a super price at $12.98.

Okay we admit it, we are a bunch of cookbook hoarders. Our favorites are Taste of Home, Gooseberry Patch, and of course spiral Church Cookbooks.

Altered Art - Mugs

Altered Art is so inspiring to create. Begin with photo mugs from Starbucks, insert an altered logo, edge/chalk heavy weight patterned cardstock, and punch flowers for an added touch. A great way to display artwork, while keeping track of your beverage!

Mocha Munchies - March Recipe

What a perfect time to pick up Girl Scouts Trefoils Cookies to use in this wonderful recipe.

2 C. crushed shortbread cookies
1 1/4 C. powdered sugar
1 C. finely chopped pecans
2 TBL. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. instant decaffeninated coffee crystals
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 to 5 TBL. water
1/2 C. powdered sugar

Combine crushed cookies, 1 1/4 C. powdered sugar, nuts, cocoa powder, coffee crystals, & cinnamon. Add water, just enough to moisten. Form mixture into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll balls generously in the 1/2 C. powdered sugar. Place balls on waxed paper, let stand until dry (1 hr.). Before serving, roll balls again in powdered sugar.