Tuesdays with Dorie

My First Post for Tuesday's with Dorie...thankfully they decided to give a pass and I didn't have to do the Creme Brulee that was assigned. I decided to go with the Orange Berry Muffins from page 3 because my kids are on a huge blueberry kick right now and it seemed like nice timing. I have been working hard on "eating clean" and unfortunately it seems like everything I want to bake doesn't fall into this category. That being said...I adjusted the recipe just a bit and used whole wheat flour and xylitol instead of sugar. I kept everything else the same. I suppose I could have also used egg beaters but I was out. I did think these muffins smelled delicious baking. My nose has become so sensitive to smells lately and this was a nice one. After 10 min of baking you add the sugar to top it off and I went with a blue sugar to accent the blueberries. End result was nice but a little dry...probably due to the whole wheat flour instead of all purpose. The kids liked but didn't rave...also most likely a flour issue. I liked these muffins and I am taking some to the neighbors for 'review'. Here are a few pics. I didn't get as many good pictures as I would like because I ran out of time. Notice a pattern???? All in all I am stoaked about the first TWD post and hope that I can do better next week.

Cupcake Truffles

I decided to do the cupcake truffles so deliciously displayed on bakerella's site here.

I used a spice cake mix and cream cheese frosting... Bailey's favorite. They were so much fun to make. I had to hurry because I was trying to get my nieces' barbie birthday cake and cookie monster and elmo cupcakes and about 2 dozen cookies finished at the same time. Sadly...no one ate the truffles but Bailey but it's cool because I made them for him. They were so cool to make. I think next time I will spend more time with the dipping so they look more refined so to speak. I wanted to include one of B enjoying the dessert... I love this guy so much.

Lost Time and Recipes

Blueberry Basil Sour Cream Cuppie

Well...I wanted desperately to get another entry into the Iron Cupcake Challenge so Thursday before the deadline I crammed...and I thought I could get it all done. I was wrong. But I got some awesome photos and a really tasty cupcake. Although my kids loved the sangria one and this one....they took the blueberries out and ate around them with the occasional wrinkling of the nose due to the "green stuff". I wanted to post the recipe I adapted but I lost it in all the madness. Thursday night was also my nieces' birthday so I spent the majority of Wednesday night and all day Thursday working on the goodies for her big day. I will post the cake and accessories soon. I hope you get a chance to check out the cupcakes for the challenge this month at http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/
There are some really cool ones. MINE OF COURSE IS THE BEST BUT WHO AM I TO JUDGE....

voting and prizes

I have posted my first submission...I am hoping to get one more done before the deadline but I forgot to add how to vote and the awesome prizes. I will say...as lame as it sounds...I want to win for winning not necessarily just to get prizes. They are some cool prizes though.

So Voting will begin on Sunday, September 28 at 12 noon at NO ONE PUTS CUPCAKE IN A CORNER, http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/ and will be open through Thursday, October 1 at 12 noon. The Winner will be posted the night of October 1, before 11:59 p.m. Please take your time to vote (for me hopefully) between Sunday and Thursday of this upcoming week.

The prizes are as follows...

CUPCAKE EARRINGS http://www.flickr.com/photos/lotsofsprinkles/2835488527/


CUPCAKE BOOK http://www.hellocupcakebook.com/


FIESTA PRODUCTS http://www.fiestaproducts.com/


JESSIE STEELE APRONS http://www.jessiesteele.com/


CUPCAKE COURIER http://www.cupcakecourier.com/


TASTE OF HOME http://www.tasteofhome.com/

So please take time to check them out and FOR SURE time to vote. I will send out reminders of course. I will also say this has been a blast! Make the cupcake you won't regret it... oh and of course take some time to enjoy a nice glass of the sangria with it.

Basil Sangria Sweetie

Basil Sangria Sweetie

Peach-Basil Sangria

3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup basil leaves; loosely packed
3 1/2 cups peach nectar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 bottle (750 mL) white wine - Pinot Grigio

In saucepan combine sugar, basil leaves, 1/2 of the peach nectar (1 3/4 cups), and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer, crushing basil with wooden spoon to release flavor. Simmer long enough to melt sugar. Remove and allow to cool. Strain basil mixture to remove basil (optional...I left mine to allow the basil to permeate in the fridge over a couple of days) Pour in remaining peach nectar and entire bottle of wine. Stir briefly. Reserve 1 cup sangria. Pour remaining sangria over ice and enjoy.

Cupcake

1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp orange zest
1 Tbsp Peach - Basil Sangria
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup basil infused sour cream (chop 5-7 large basil leaves and stir into sour cream)

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time until incorporated. Add orange zest and sangria. In seperate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture; careful not to overbeat. Add sour cream. Bake at 350 in foil lined cupcake tin for 17-19 min or until done.

Filling

4 oz cream cheese; room temp
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 Tbsp Peach - Basil Sangria

Mix all ingredients well.

Grand Marnier Buttercream

4 lg egg whites
1 cup sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened and cut into tablespoons
2 Tbsp Peach - Basil Sangria

Heat egg whites and sugar over double boiler whisking constantly until dissolved ( 160 degrees ) Remove bowl from heat and beat in stand mixer on medium high until thick glossy peaks form. Continue beating until cooled.

With mixer running, add butter 1 Tablespoon at a time beating well after each addition. Add Grand Marnier and sangria. Beat on high until smooth and fluffy; about 10 min.

If buttercream begins to seperate continue beating on high until smooth.

Assembly

Fill cupcake generously with filling (this is the most delicious part to me) and ice with butter cream. Top with orange, lemon and lime zest (optional) Accompany with large glass of Basil - Peach Sangria. Enjoy!

Peach-Basil Sangria

I am trying to come up with a catchy title for this little baby. I will tell you this.. of course I want your votes DUH.. but this cupcake is freakin' awesome. it is moist...and very delicious. The filling is so smooth and tastes wonderful...it is made with the homemade sangria which i came up with on my own (yes you can be shocked!) and I made it with the peaches from my tree out back. Martha would be proud! And of course the basil. I have now become so familiar with the scent of basil I can i.d. it at the store. It's a nice smell. I have always associated basil with spaghetti but I have been wrong. This cupcake has to be one of my favs. The icing has Grand Marnier in it... which on a side note I almost didn't get to purchase because the cashier at Walgreens thought I had a fake ID. Needless to say you have to try the recipe. I will post as soon as I can come up with a catchy...sweet peach sangria basil grand mariner cuppie!

Is that too Long??